Danish General Contradicts Trump, Says No Chinese or Russian Ships Near Greenlan

NUUK, Jan 15 — The head of Denmark's Joint Arctic Command said no Chinese or Russian vessels are observed near Greenland, contradicting U.S. President Donald Trump's claims about the island's security.

Major General Soren Andersen made the statement on board a Danish warship in Nuuk, Greenland's capital.

"We don't see any Russian or Chinese vessels around Greenland," Andersen told Reuters.

He confirmed Chinese and Russian ships are in the Arctic Ocean but not near Greenland.

Andersen said he invited the United States to join exercises planned on the island this year.

"We had a meeting today with a lot of NATO partners including the U.S. and invited them to participate in this exercise," said Andersen.

When asked if Americans will join, Andersen replied "I don't know that yet."

Denmark's Joint Arctic Command enforces sovereignty and conducts surveillance across Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

The command uses patrol vessels, aircraft, helicopters, and satellite-based monitoring, with about 150 staff.

Trump says Greenland is vital to U.S. security and has not ruled out using force to take it.

European nations this week sent small numbers of military personnel to Greenland at Denmark's request.

Copenhagen last year announced a 42 billion Danish crowns Arctic defence package in response to Trump's criticism.