Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declined to comment directly on the revelation, but told DR that she "unfortunately still believes that the American president's desire to take over Greenland is intact."
"We are fortunately in a situation now where we are trying to reach an agreement with the Americans. Negotiations are ongoing and I hope for a good outcome," she says, but emphasizes that the situation remains serious.
Destroy runways
A number of defense and intelligence sources tell DR what happened in the most critical days during the Greenland crisis.
In January, Danish soldiers were sent to the island. It was described as a planned exercise, but they brought explosives to destroy the runways in the capital, Nuuk, and Kangerlussuaq in the event of an American attack.
The cargo also contained blood bags from Danish blood banks to treat wounded soldiers.
"We have not been in such a situation since April 1940," a Danish defense source says, referring to the time of the German occupation during World War II.
The situation escalated rapidly after the US military operation in Venezuela. When Donald Trump threatened to take over Greenland by force at the same time, the Danish government chose to take his words seriously.
“The price should be increased”
Shortly thereafter, the Danish soldiers were joined by soldiers from France, Germany, Norway and Sweden. The goal of gathering several allies on the island was to force Donald Trump into major hostile action if he intended to occupy Greenland militarily.
Outwardly, the whole thing was presented as the military exercise "Arctic Endurance." But it was bloody serious, according to a defense source.
"The price the US would have to pay would be higher. The US would have to carry out a hostile act to take Greenland," the source says.
