Danish soldiers were ordered to stand ready in case of US attack on Greenland: Report

LONDON

Danish troops were ordered to be ready with live ammunition last week against a possible US attack on Greenland, Denmark's public broadcaster DR reported on Friday.

The order was issued as late as last week, and if Greenland was attacked, Danish soldiers were ready with live ammunition.

The Danish soldiers were ordered to take live ammunition to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, in the worst-case scenario, according to the report, citing information from central political sources.

According to the broadcaster, this was the case until US President Donald Trump backed away from using force against Greenland after a meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte on Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

It also noted that there was widespread political will to take up the fight if a US attack took place, not only in the Danish government, but also in a wide range of opposition parties.

The US president has shown interest in Greenland because of its strategic Arctic location, rich mineral resources and concerns about increasing Russian and Chinese influence in the region.

Denmark and Greenland have rejected proposals to sell the territory, reaffirming Danish sovereignty over the island.

After meeting Rutte, Trump announced that a framework for a potential deal involving Greenland and the broader Arctic region had been established. He also dropped the threat to impose tariffs on European countries that opposed his acquisition bid.