Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland espionage claims

Denmark has summoned the U.S. ambassador in response to reports, initially from The Wall Street Journal, that U.S. intelligence agencies have been directed to intensify espionage activities in Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed deep concern over these claims, emphasizing that 'we do not spy on friends.' The alleged U.S. intelligence directive reportedly seeks information on Greenland's independence movement and local attitudes toward U.S. resource extraction, and aims to identify individuals in Greenland and Denmark supporting U.S. objectives. These developments follow repeated statements from former President Donald Trump about acquiring Greenland, which both Danish and Greenlandic officials have firmly rejected. The U.S. justifies its increased interest in the island by citing international security and strategic competition in the Arctic. Tensions remain high between Copenhagen and Washington, as Denmark seeks clarification and reaffirms Greenland is not for sale.