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Senator from Alaska urges diplomacy and rejects talk of annexing Greenland
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Summary
A senator on the Senate floor warned against any U.S. effort to seize or coerce Greenland, saying aggressive rhetoric damages ties with Greenland and Denmark, risks NATO cohesion and that any partnership should be pursued through respectful diplomacy and congressional processes.
The senator from Alaska used remarks on the Senate floor to urge the administration and colleagues to abandon talk of acquiring Greenland by force or coercion and instead pursue respectful diplomacy and partnership.
The senator said there should be “no effort that would seek to annex Greenland, whether it is taking it by force, taking it by coercion, taking it by pressure or threat,” and called such rhetoric “profoundly, profoundly troubling.” He added that talk of military intervention is “not an option” the United States should consider.
Why it matters: The senator framed the issue as both a moral and strategic one. He noted Greenland’s population of about 57,000 and cited the island’s longstanding cooperation with the United States — including hosting U.S. military facilities at what he described historically as Thule (now generally referred to as Pituffik) — as reasons to preserve a partnership rather than seek control. He warned that aggressive U.S. language risks alienating Greenland and Denmark and could harm NATO unity and give advantage to rival powers.
Details of the remarks: The senator recounted historical episodes of U.S. interest in Greenland dating to the Alaska purchase era and to offers and proposals in the 20th century, saying those earlier approaches underscore that acquisition attempts have repeatedly failed and that diplomacy is the better path. He noted the secretary of state had said officials were discussing purchase rather than military intervention, but emphasized that a purchase would require a willing buyer and seller and that Greenland and Denmark have made clear they are not for sale.
On legal and diplomatic options, the senator said there is “no case legally or otherwise for U.S. military intervention in Greenland” and suggested negotiated arrangements — including a proposed compact or free-association framework that would require Greenland’s and Denmark’s consent and congressional ratification — as a lawful alternative to coercion.
The senator described recent conversations with Greenlandic contacts, including the island’s prime minister, and urged his colleagues to listen to Greenland’s people: “Greenland’s future must be decided by its own people,” he said. He closed by calling for a reset in U.S. rhetoric toward Greenland and Denmark and by urging dialogue, cooperation and partnership.
No formal votes or motions were recorded during the remarks; the senator also touched briefly on unrelated domestic priorities including health coverage, appropriations and sanctions on Russia but did not move those items in this speech.
The senator yielded the floor after his remarks.
