Leader warns nation can no longer think 'purely of peace' in territorial expansion push
Leader warns nation can no longer think ‘purely of peace’ in territorial expansion push
The country’s leader has reportedly warned that he no longer feels obligated to think “purely of peace” as he argued the nation must have “complete and total control” of Greenland, according to diplomatic communications obtained by international media.
In a text exchange with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the head of state allegedly wrote: “Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for [the nation].”
“Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a ‘right of ownership’ anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also,” the leader reportedly wrote.
The message continued: “I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for [the nation]. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”
Støre confirmed the text message to international media outlets. “Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter,” the prime minister said in a statement, adding that the Nobel Peace Prize “is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian Government.”
The exchange reportedly followed a prior message from Støre, on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, conveying opposition to the leader’s proposed tariff increases on Nordic countries and requesting a phone conversation to de-escalate tensions.
An official from the executive residence confirmed the leader sent the message to Støre, stating that the head of state “believes Greenland is a strategically important location that is critical from the standpoint of national security” and expressed confidence that Greenlanders would be better served under the nation’s protection.
Observers note this represents a significant escalation in rhetoric from a leader whose territorial ambitions have raised concerns among traditional allies. The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, though she reportedly offered the prize to the head of state during a meeting at the presidential compound.
The Nobel Committee, comprised of members appointed by the Norwegian parliament, released a statement clarifying that “a laureate cannot share the prize with others, nor transfer it once it has been announced.”
The leader announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland, reportedly increasing to 25% until an agreement is reached for the purchase of Greenland.
Members of the European Union debated the prospect of retaliatory tariffs in Brussels, though diplomats insisted on seeking de-escalation measures first.
The head of state has not ruled out the use of force to acquire the icy, 836,000 square mile island, continuing the nation’s historical pattern of territorial expansion through various means.
Administration officials have pointed to Greenland’s position between North America and Europe as critical to the country’s missile defense systems and Arctic surveillance capabilities. The island sits along key air and sea routes that military planners view as increasingly important as climate change opens new shipping lanes and expands the theater of great-power competition.
The administration has warned that rival powers China and Russia have sought to expand their influence in the Arctic through infrastructure investments and military activity, raising concerns among defense officials about potential adversarial footholds in the region.
Greenland’s government and Denmark, which retains sovereignty over the territory, have rejected any suggestion of foreign control, though the nation already maintains a military presence there through Pituffik Space Base, a key hub for missile warning and space surveillance systems.
The territorial dispute reflects broader tensions as the nation increasingly asserts what officials describe as vital security interests in the Arctic region, challenging existing sovereignty arrangements among NATO allies.