COPENHAGEN, May 18 (Reuters) - Greenland's government stated on Monday that progress has been achieved in critical negotiations with the United States regarding the territory's future, but emphasized that the vast island, which President Donald Trump has sought, will never be available for purchase.
US Envoy Meets Greenlandic Leaders
U.S. special envoy Jeff Landry, appointed by Trump last year to pursue American control over Greenland, arrived in Nuuk on Sunday and held meetings on Monday with Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Foreign Minister Mute Egede.
"We believe there is progress, and from Greenland's side we are focused on finding a solution that is good for us all, and most importantly that threats of annexation, takeover or a purchase of Greenland and the Greenlandic people does not occur," Nielsen told reporters after the meeting with Landry.
There was no immediate statement from Landry, who told local media on Sunday that his purpose was to "listen and learn."
Trump's Ambitions Cause Tensions
Trump's assertion that the U.S. must acquire or control Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, has generated friction between Washington and Copenhagen—both founding NATO members—and across Europe more broadly.
"They asked for a meeting, and we've explained our situation and standpoint, and that we have some red lines - we will not sell Greenland, we will own Greenland for all time," Egede said.
Diplomatic Efforts to Calm Crisis
In an effort to ease tensions, Greenland, Denmark, and the U.S. earlier this year agreed to conduct high-level diplomatic negotiations to resolve the crisis, although the outcome of these ongoing talks has yet to be presented.
The United States aims to enhance its military presence in Greenland and incorporate it into Trump's planned "Golden Dome" defense system against nuclear attack.
The U.S. currently maintains one active base in Greenland, the Pituffik Space Base in the northwest, a reduction from approximately 17 facilities in 1945 when thousands of U.S. personnel staffed installations across the island.
