Ursula von der Leyen has declared that Greenland’s future belongs to its people and Denmark as the EU puts its expanded Arctic partnership into practice. Her visit produced a new political declaration, a satellite-connectivity project and details of investments planned under a €200 million package.
“The European Union stands in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland,” the Commission president said in Nuuk on Monday. “Greenland’s future is for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide, no one else.”
The message followed repeated demands by US President Donald Trump to acquire Greenland. Its government and Denmark have rejected those proposals, while talks with Washington have continued without a publicly announced resolution.
Ms von der Leyen spoke alongside Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen after two days of meetings. The three leaders signed a joint declaration expanding cooperation on security, energy, raw materials, digital infrastructure, education and civil protection.
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Satellite project produces first result
The visit provided the first concrete results of the €200 million partnership package that EU Perspectives reported ahead of the meeting. The money will support what Ms von der Leyen called the “three big Cs”: connectivity, clean energy and critical raw materials.
The leaders launched an enhanced satellite project at Greenlandic telecommunications company Tusass. Ms von der Leyen said northern communities would receive faster internet immediately, with remote settlements in eastern Greenland following by October.
The package will also support hydropower, housing, sustainable tourism, fisheries and participation in Erasmus+. Ms von der Leyen presented the investments as a way to improve daily life while strengthening Greenland’s economic resilience and energy security.
Mineral projects move into focus
Critical minerals form another central part of the partnership. The EU is working with Greenland on the Malmbjerg molybdenum project and financing preparations for the Amitsoq graphite project, Ms von der Leyen said.
Molybdenum strengthens steel used in energy and defence applications, while graphite is important for electric-vehicle batteries. Both could help Europe reduce its dependence on supplies concentrated in China, but developing mines in remote Arctic locations requires substantial infrastructure and Greenlandic regulatory approval.
Greenland’s future is for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide, no one else. — Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Ms von der Leyen said Malmbjerg could generate up to €90 million annually in added value for Greenland. “We agreed that [the resources] should be used to create value, jobs and growth here in the country,” she said. The Commission has separately proposed allocating €530 million to cooperation with Greenland in the EU’s 2028–2034 budget. The figure remains subject to negotiations.
“Greenland is much more than a partner for Europe. You are a trusted friend, a strategic ally and a valued member of our wider European family,” Ms von der Leyen said. “We share a future together, and it all starts today.” The next test will be whether the promised investment produces tangible benefits for Greenlandic communities.
