Europe correspondent
BBC
Throughout his adult life, Colonel Soren Knudsen answered his nation’s call whenever needed, even when called upon by allies.
He fought alongside U.S. forces, particularly in Afghanistan, where he served as Denmark’s highest-ranking officer for some time. He experienced 58 rocket attacks during his deployment.
“I received a Bronze Star Medal from the United States, and they presented me with the Stars and Stripes. They’ve proudly hung on my wall ever since.”
However, a shift occurred.
“Following JD Vance’s remarks about Greenland and the president’s disregard for recognized borders, I took down the Stars and Stripes, and the medal is now stored away,” Soren shares, his voice trembling slightly.
Recently, the U.S. president reiterated his intention to claim the world’s largest island: Greenland, a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
“My initial reaction was pain, followed by offense,” Colonel Knudsen reflects.
I met him during the initial weeks of his retirement, in front of Denmark’s historic royal residence, Amalienborg Palace, in central Copenhagen.
Suddenly, bagpipers began to play, and soldiers marched past.
Today’s Changing of the Guard occurs as the Trump administration drastically alters longstanding beliefs about U.S.-European security relationships that have persisted for 80 years.
“It’s about principles, and witnessing those principles being undermined by someone we regarded as an ally is difficult,” Soren remarks, with his American wife Gina at his side.
“Denmark willingly joined initiatives where my husband served,” she adds.
“So it’s shocking to hear threats from a nation I also hold dear, and to feel that our alliance is being disregarded. This feels personal; it’s not merely a foreign policy concern.”
Still, Soren retains some hope.
“I hope and pray that one day I can return that flag to my wall,” he confides.
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There’s little indication that his hopes will materialize in the near future.
Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, will have its elections next week, with all major parties supporting the notion of independence eventually.
A takeover attempt by Donald Trump – even potentially through force – is not on the agenda.
Close to the royal palace lies Denmark’s memorial for the soldiers who lost their lives in recent conflicts.
Carved onto the stone walls are the names of those who died alongside their western allies.
The section commemorating the fallen in the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan is particularly substantial.
Denmark suffered 44 military fatalities in Afghanistan, making it, relative to its population of under six million, the second most affected country after the U.S. Eight Danish soldiers also lost their lives in Iraq.
This is why the president’s remarks are particularly painful.
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One individual with insight into Trump’s aspirations for Greenland is Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
“Trump’s suggestion about possibly taking Greenland by force resembles Putin’s rhetoric regarding Ukraine,” he tells the BBC.
The former prime minister of Denmark and former NATO secretary-general argues it’s crucial for Denmark and the rest of Europe to enhance self-defense measures if the U.S. is hesitant to do so.
“Throughout my childhood, I admired the U.S. for its role as the global police force. I believe we require such a force to maintain international law and order, but if the U.S. is unwilling to fulfill that role, Europe must be capable of defending itself, to stand independently.”
Despite his concerns, Fogh Rasmussen does not anticipate the U.S. will resort to an aggressive takeover.
“I want to emphasize that I don’t believe the Americans will take Greenland by force in the end.”
The idea of a Greenland acquisition first arose during Trump’s initial term and resurfaced earlier this year.
However, after shocking longstanding allies with recent actions concerning Ukraine, tariffs, and the Middle East, Denmark is now urgently evaluating the actual threat level.
For many young Danes, the notion of controlling Greenland feels fundamentally unjust, a remnant of colonialism.
Yet that doesn’t mean they desire to cede the territory directly to the U.S.
“We certainly have connections to Greenland,” shares music student Molly. “While Denmark and Greenland might feel divided, I still have friends there, so this impacts me quite personally.”
“It’s quite alarming,” 18-year-old music student Luukas admits.
“Trump goes after everything he sees. He has no regard for climate issues, only for oil and profit.”
His companion Clara adds that Trump’s influence is so extensive he can “affect their daily lives” even from thousands of miles away, in this unprecedentedly precarious era.
Given Trump’s suspension of military aid to Ukraine and his profound reluctance to finance European security, Denmark is leading the initiative to increase defense budgets across the continent.
The nation has announced plans to allocate over 3% of its GDP to defense spending for the years 2025 and 2026 to guard against potential aggression from Russia or elsewhere.
Meanwhile, security analyst Hans Tino Hansen stands in front of a large screen in what he calls his “operations room” at his headquarters in Copenhagen.
“This map displays our daily updates on global threats based on alerts and incidents worldwide,” explains Hans, who has been leading Risk Intelligence for 25 years.
As part of Denmark’s increased defense budget, they’re enhancing their strength in the “High North” with an additional two billion euros announced in January and plans for three new Arctic naval vessels and investments in long-range drones.
Hans believes that Arctic security can be reinforced, not by an American takeover, but through new agreements that restore U.S. influence.
“By reaching more agreements, regarding both defense and security but also economic and raw materials, we could approximate the relations we had in the 1950s and 1960s.”
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The Greenlandic government has stated that a vote on independence will take place following next week’s election.
Although it may not be intended, President Trump’s aspirations for the territory have sparked a desire among the Inuit to finally liberate themselves from 300 years of Danish oversight.
Yet, Professor Rosing believes that, despite the indicated mineral wealth, many Greenlanders are not eager to forfeit the annual block grant of approximately £480m (€570m) they receive from Copenhagen.
This sum represents more than half of the island’s public budget.
“Residents discuss health services, education, and even the cost of everyday items, such as fish and gas, just like anywhere else,” he explains.
“They aren’t waving around flags while shouting for independence.”
Regarding Trump’s apparent obsession with Greenland, Fogh Rasmussen fears a troubling implication may arise.
One that could hinder the Danes’ ability to engage in business with a figure whose perspective on territorial integrity clashes so significantly with theirs.
“While I comprehend the American strategic interest in minerals, they have shown little interest in mining in Greenland,” he remarks.
“This leads me to worry that it may not be solely about security, or even minerals; it may simply be an effort to expand the United States’ territory.”
“This perspective is something we cannot accommodate in our dealings with President Trump.”
Additional reporting by Kostas Kallergis
