Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded strongly after reports revealed U.S. spying efforts in Greenland. She told agencies, “Of course, you cannot spy against an ally.”

These reports claimed the U.S. had increased intelligence gathering in Greenland. Notably, former U.S. President Donald Trump had once shown interest in buying the Arctic island. However, both Denmark and Greenland have rejected any such idea.

Denmark Seeks Answers from U.S. Officials

Following the report, Denmark quickly summoned Jennifer Hall Godfrey, the acting U.S. ambassador in Copenhagen. She met with top Danish diplomat Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen at the Danish Foreign Ministry. Although the ministry confirmed the meeting, it gave no further details. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy declined to comment.

Even though Frederiksen called the news “rumors” from an international newspaper, she stressed the importance of trust among allies. “Cooperation about defense and deterrence and security in the northern part of Europe is getting more and more important,” she said. Therefore, she added, “Of course, you cannot spy against an ally.”

Greenland Reacts to Alleged Espionage

Similarly, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also criticized the U.S. actions. He told the Greenland newspaper Sermitsiaq that the reported spying was “unacceptable and disrespectful.”

Previously, Nielsen had already rejected America’s interest in the island. In his words, “It will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.”

U.S. Intelligence Head Pushes Back

In response, U.S. intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard denied any wrongdoing. Her office stated that she filed three “criminal” referrals to the Justice Department over the leaks. Moreover, she blamed the Wall Street Journal for helping unnamed officials spread false information.

“The Wall Street Journal should be ashamed of aiding deep state actors who seek to undermine the President by politicizing and leaking classified information,” Gabbard wrote. She also warned, “Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Norway Stresses Arctic Sovereignty

Meanwhile, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre addressed the issue ahead of a major meeting in Oslo. He pointed out that some people wrongly believe the Arctic lacks legal rules. “There is some kind of terra nullius, law doesn’t apply,” he said, referring to that mistaken belief.

He firmly stated, “It applies, sovereignty applies. And Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”

He made these remarks just before the Joint Expeditionary Force leaders’ summit, which included leaders from the U.K., Nordic, and Baltic nations.