Three Greenlandic ministers in Nuuk described relief after Denmark, Greenland and the United States signed a security agreement on September 22, 2026.
The three ministers, all from the party Demokraatit, followed the day’s events on television at the party’s offices in Nuuk. DR reports that they watched updates on Greenlandic broadcaster KNR as the signing was confirmed.
Education Minister Nivi Olsen told DR that the ministers felt secure and proud after many months of uncertainty. Health Minister Anna Wangenheim said the room was silent until the last signature was in place, after which the ministers embraced each other.
Fisheries Minister Peter Borg praised the speech by Jens-Frederik Nielsen, chairman of Naalakkersuisut and leader of Demokraatit. According to DR, Borg emphasized that Greenland was present at the negotiating table and at the signing itself.
What the agreement contains
Reuters reports that the agreement was signed by US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Nielsen. The signing took place at the UN General Assembly in New York on September 22, 2026.
Per Reuters, the deal permits the United States to modernize and expand Pituffik Space Base and to establish defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. US aircraft and vessels are granted broad access across Greenland and its territorial waters, including overflight, landing and undersea access.
Reuters also notes that the agreement allows the United States to establish a missile defense system known as Golden Dome in Greenland. AP reports that the arrangement builds on the existing 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the United States.
According to AP, non-NATO states are barred from establishing military installations or a persistent military presence in Greenland, unless the signatories agree otherwise. AP adds that the text has no end date and is intended to continue to apply if Greenland becomes independent.
Sovereignty and self-determination
Greenland’s government stated ahead of the signing that the agreement does not transfer sovereignty, as reported by Reuters on September 19, 2026. Both Copenhagen and Nuuk said the text recognizes Greenland’s right to self-determination.
At the press conference on the day of the signing, Nielsen said Greenland had never bowed to threats from the United States. He stated that Greenland had held to its red lines from the start of the talks.
DR reports that Olsen described Nielsen as composed and clear during the historic moment. The ministers said his speech framed the outcome as a win for Greenland, the United States, NATO and the EU.
