Under the army’s rules of engagement, Danish soldiers would be instructed to shoot first and ask questions later if the United States (US) attempts to seize Greenland, it has emerged.
As per the details, the directive dates back to 1952 and requires Danish forces to respond instantly to any invasion, without waiting for formal commands or political clearance.
According to a Danish newspaper, the rule states that in the event of an attack, “the attacked forces must immediately take up the fight without waiting for or seeking orders, even if the commanders in question are not aware of the declaration of war or state of war.”
When asked the status of the order, Denmark’s defence ministry told the newspaper, “The order on precautionary measures for military defence in the event of attacks on the country and during war, remains in force.”
The issue has gained renewed attention after President Donald Trump reiterated this week that he intends to annex Greenland, a territory governed by Denmark, and said that military force could be used if necessary.
Denmark, which administers Greenland as an overseas territory, has said the island is “not for sale”. Trump’s remarks have shocked Denmark, Greenland’s government and the wider Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) alliance.
European allies are now holding urgent discussions on how to respond to a possible US attack on Greenland, a move that experts say would likely bring an end to Nato.
Speaking about the talks, French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said: “We want to take action, but we want to do so together with our European partners.”
A German government source separately told an international media outlet that Germany was “closely working together with other European countries and Denmark on the next steps regarding Greenland”.
Later on Wednesday, Barrot said he had received assurances from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Washington was not planning an “invasion”.
“I myself was on the phone yesterday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio… who confirmed that this was not the approach taken… he ruled out the possibility of an invasion of Greenland,” Barrot said.
According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Rubio has also briefed US politicians that threats against Greenland do not indicate an imminent invasion, and that the objective remains to buy the island.
Those statements appeared to contradict comments made on Tuesday by Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s press secretary, who said that military action was “always an option”.
An international media outlet reported on Wednesday that US officials have been increasingly discussing a takeover of Greenland with European counterparts as a “concrete” possibility.
A senior European diplomat told the newspaper that there had been a noticeable shift in tone in recent days.
Former French premier Dominique de Villepin warned that a US invasion of Greenland would fundamentally change relations between Washington and Europe’s Nato members.
“In no case should Europe accept any damage to European sovereignty,” Villepin told an international media outlet adding that a Nato member attacking another would be “unprecedented”.
“And of course, if Donald Trump goes forward, the status of the US will go from adversary or rival to the one of enemy,” he said.