Vox Populi

SVEN MIKSER

member of the European Parliament (SDE)

The absolute majority of Greenlanders do not want to become part of the United States and do not want to be pressured by the Americans on this matter. Estonia must stand alongside Denmark on this issue. By strengthening the European Union's common position, Estonia can show its solidarity to Greenlanders and Danes, both in its interactions with European partners and Americans.

Surely Denmark should be a good and solid ally for the US in this context too. At the request of Americans, Danes fought alongside them in one of the most dangerous regions of Afghanistan, suffering significant losses. Speaking of burden-sharing, Denmark has also been one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine in their war against Russia.

Rasmussen is therefore entirely right to recall that the US is not pressuring a rival or an enemy on the Greenland issue, but one of its most committed allies – something that is certainly neither fair nor right.

The messages from the United States regarding Greenland, suggesting that they need someone else's territory to ensure their own security, bear an alarmingly close resemblance to Putin's rhetoric. In global politics such statements, regardless of their underlying intentions, could become a justification for someone else for their aggression.

Estonia must stand for the protection of international law and a rules-based world order, no matter from which direction pressure or attempts to bend these principles arise.

KALEV STOICESCU

chairman of the national defense committee of the Riigikogu (Estonia 200)

The saga of US military presence in Greenland began during World War II, when the aim was to prevent the giant island from falling into the grip of Nazi Germany. At the beginning of the Cold War, the US had a total of 17 military bases and installations in Greenland, which were very important to protect the North Atlantic region from hostile activities by the Soviet navy and North America as a whole from a possible nuclear attack.

Today, Greenland has only one, but large and important US military base.

The people of Greenland decide their own independence and destiny. They have the right to become independent if they wish, sooner or later. No land or people are for sale.

Especially considering Russia's and China's increased activity and hostile aims in the Arctic, the United States' interest in ensuring the island's security and defense is justified, but all possibilities for this exist with Denmark and other allies, without taking over the island. Whatever that means.

I hope that the developments related to Greenland will be in full accordance with the will of the people of Greenland, the legitimate interests of NATO – including the US, of course – and international law. There is no rational reason why this should not be the case if NATO remains a strong and united alliance, and the risk of Greenland falling under the influence of Russia and/or China is virtually non-existent.

Estonia must stand for strengthening allied relations and respecting international law.

MARKO MIHKELSON

chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Riigikogu (Reform Party)

The unity of the allied space and the resulting deterrence against the threat that is existential to us is very important for Estonia. Therefore, it is in Estonia's interest to do everything possible to prevent the weakening or disintegration of the allied space.

The US administration's stance towards Denmark with regard to Greenland is not a step that strengthens the allied space. As a founding member of NATO, Denmark has been one of the most committed allies, a consistent promoter of transatlantic relations, and they are altogether prepared to discuss the possibility of increased US military presence in Greenland. The agreement between the US and Denmark, which dates back to 1951, provides a good opportunity for this. As we know, there is only one US military base in Greenland now, while there used to be 17.

It is in Estonia's interest to express clear support for Denmark's efforts and to explain to US allies why it is in their own interest, as well as that of the broader alliance, to refrain from actions that could encourage authoritarian forces in dismantling the existing world order.

MARTI AAVIK

member of the governing board of The Right

Estonia must do everything in its power to ensure that the alliance between Europe and the US remains intact. Currently, the Greenland issue is a hypothetical situation, an unpleasant exchange of words, not actions. The aim is to prevent us from ever facing such a drastic choice between Denmark and the US in real life.

If those directly responsible for Estonia's foreign policy and diplomacy were to start seeking a solution to the dilemma publicly, it would not serve Estonia's interests. The privilege of speaking and analyzing publicly should be left to those who are not currently the prime minister, foreign minister, president, or ambassador.

Estonia's undeniable interest is the preservation of the Western alliance and defense cooperation within NATO. Europe needs to be made stronger. At the same time, it is not wise to expect official representatives of either Estonia or Europe to provide Donald Trump with reasons to dismantle or weaken NATO with their words. The goal is precisely the opposite: to maintain, with as little damage as possible!

The main negative impact of Trump's Greenland talk indeed is what Moscow is openly clapping its hands over: a) look, the Americans also want to annex land by force; b) look, the "degenerate West" (words of figures in the Kremlin) is fighting among themselves.

Neither Denmark nor Greenland has refused military or economic cooperation. We should move on from the talk of annexation to the substance, which the Danes are clearly trying to do.

JAAK MADISON

Member of the European Parliament (Center Party)

To the best of my knowledge, Donald Trump is not so much interested in integrating Greenland into the United States as he is in protecting the world's largest island from China's and Russia's influence activities. While Greenland has a population of fewer than 60,000 people, it holds great geopolitical significance. The US has an air base there, and it is very clear that Donald Trump is keen on safeguarding America's positions – American intelligence on Russia and China should be taken seriously.

Decisions regarding Greenland's future are primarily in the hands the local population. I do not believe it is right for Estonian politicians to start telling Greenlanders how they should live. Naturally, the Kingdom of Denmark, of which Greenland is a part, plays a crucial role in the current situation. Estonia cannot, of course, support the invasion of another country and the capture of territory by force, and it is our task to use diplomatic channels to prevent yet another military conflict.

"Estonia could support a stronger NATO presence in the Arctic, but should do so in a balanced manner so as not to increase geopolitical tensions. Given the abundant natural resources found in Greenland, Estonia should seize all opportunities to participate in economic cooperation.