“You cannot spy against an ally.” — Mette Frederiksen
PBS
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned the United States that “you cannot spy against an ally,” following reports of increased U.S. intelligence gathering on Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Speaking to The Associated Press on Friday, Frederiksen called the reports “rumors” but emphasized the importance of trust: “Cooperation about defense and deterrence and security… is getting more and more important.”
The warning follows a Wall Street Journal report claiming U.S. officials, under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, directed agencies to investigate Greenland’s independence movement and U.S. resource interests.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called the alleged espionage “unacceptable and disrespectful.”
Denmark summoned top U.S. diplomat Jennifer Hall Godfrey for clarification, while Finnish and Norwegian leaders defended Arctic sovereignty.
Responding, Gabbard accused leakers of undermining U.S. security: “They are breaking the law… Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable.”
Greenland’s leadership reiterated the island “will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought.”