22:00 08-01-2026

Denmark Recalls 1952 Defense Order Amid Greenland Talk

Denmark has reaffirmed its 1952 defense directive requiring immediate military response, as debate intensifies over U.S. interest in Greenland.

Denmark’s Ministry of Defense has publicly recalled that a national defense directive adopted back in 1952 remains in force, according to reporting by the Danish daily Berlingske.

Under this directive, Danish service members are required to immediately return fire in the event of an enemy incursion, without waiting for additional orders from the chain of command. The rule is designed to allow instant military response at the tactical level.

The resurfacing of this provision appears to be linked to recent remarks by representatives of U. S. President Donald Trump’s administration about intentions to «acquire» Greenland. Although the island enjoys autonomous status, responsibility for its foreign policy and defense lies with Copenhagen.

As Washington began circulating messages in the information space about potential claims to Greenland, European countries reportedly moved to confidential consultations on possible countermeasures should the United States take aggressive steps. Western media indicated that the European Union has been working on a dedicated «deterrence plan», while not ruling out scenarios involving direct military confrontation.

Earlier, commenting on a U.S. military operation in Venezuela, Donald Trump again stressed that Greenland was, in his view, absolutely essential for Washington. He argued that the island is surrounded by Russian and Chinese naval forces, which he presented as a threat to U.S. national security.