The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed an agreement allowing Washington to build two new military bases in the Arctic territory, while reaffirming Copenhagen's sovereignty over it.

Before the signing ceremony, which took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, US President Donald Trump said: “We will immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence in appropriate locations.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the agreement is “good for the United States, Denmark and Greenland,” as well as for Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), while Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Friedrich Nielsen, said that it is “a win-win for everyone.” Then the three leaders signed the agreement, which seemed to put an end to more than a year of tension between Washington and its European allies over the Arctic territory.

“It's great for Europe, for the United States, for everyone, for Greenland,” President Trump said.

He added: "It will be truly amazing. The Greenlanders have been so nice, the Danes have been wonderful, and I know it will be a wonderful, long-lasting relationship."

The signing ceremony was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, after the US President delivered his speech to the General Assembly.

In response to a journalist's question about whether the issue of Greenland's "ownership" had become a thing of the past, Trump merely smiled without providing an answer.

The Danish Prime Minister said: “Mr. President, you have been very clear. You do not want the opponents to reach a very close distance” from this region, stressing: “I completely agree with you, and thanks to this agreement, that will not be the case.”

For his part, the Prime Minister of Greenland reaffirmed the strategic role played by this region for security in North America and across the Atlantic.

During a subsequent joint press conference with the Danish Prime Minister, Jens-Friedrik Nielsen expressed "a feeling of pride that this agreement clearly states that Greenland must be respected."

But strengthening confidence will take time, according to what Nielsen said, who acknowledged that the agreement is “a step in the right direction. But on the street, confidence must be restored, and this is a long path.”

The American President had sparked a severe crisis with the Europeans by threatening to annex the island of Greenland, which is strategically located and rich in resources, and enjoys self-rule under Danish sovereignty, to the territory of the United States.

This region enjoys a strategic location on the shortest route between Russia and the United States. It is also rich in rare, unexploited minerals, and its role may grow as the ice cover melts and new water paths are revealed.

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The United States, which has had a defense agreement with Greenland since 1951, has a base in Petovik in the north of the region, which it can update whenever it deems appropriate, according to what was stated in the agreement. This facility is an essential element of the American anti-missile defense.

Denmark, for its part, praised this agreement, which “recognizes” the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of the people of Greenland to self-determination.

In this regard, the agreement indicates that its validity will not be a subject of discussion if this island gains its independence, but the region should remain a member of NATO.

It is noteworthy that the defense agreement concluded in 1951, and updated in 2004, gives a wide margin of movement for American forces on the island of Greenland, provided that they inform local authorities of their activities in advance.

Washington already has 17 military facilities in Greenland.

Its tenth clause prohibits any party outside the European Union and NATO from controlling one of the strategic sectors in Greenland, in an implicit reference to China and Russia.

American officials pointed out that the agreement ensures that neither China nor Russia will be able to establish military bases in Greenland or make large investments without prior approval.

European officials praised this ten-page document.

They expressed their hope that it would put an end to American threats to annex Greenland.

The President of the European Council, Antonio Cocheta, welcomed the agreement between the United States, Greenland and Denmark, describing it as “a positive step for transatlantic cooperation and security in the Arctic.”

“The European Union is ready to continue working closely with Greenland, Denmark and our transatlantic partners, for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Arctic region,” Kushta wrote on the X platform, saying that the agreement “is based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right of the people of Greenland to self-determination.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz believed that the agreement strengthens “the transatlantic partnership within the framework of NATO, and contributes to security in the Far North region.”

A NATO spokesman said shortly afterwards that the military alliance welcomed the agreement, which would “help strengthen security, stability and cooperation in this vital region.”

The new agreement still needs approval by the parliaments of Denmark and Greenland.