Greenland's Prime Minister declined the hospital ship that Trump claimed is "already on its way" to the shores of the island. According to the U.S. President, there are "many sick people in Greenland who are not receiving the necessary help."
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen declined the hospital ship, the arrival of which was previously announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, February 22.
"We say, 'No, thank you.' The idea of President Trump sending an American hospital ship here to Greenland is noted. But we have a public healthcare system with free treatment for citizens. This is a conscious choice. And a fundamental part of our society. In the U.S., it’s not the same; going to the doctor costs money," Nielsen wrote on his Facebook page.
The Prime Minister also noted that Greenland "is always open to dialogue and cooperation." "Including with the U.S. But it’s better to talk to us rather than make more or less random statements on social media," Nielsen emphasized.
Trump: Sick people in Greenland are not receiving help
Nielsen published his post a few hours after Trump announced the arrival of a "magnificent hospital ship" to the shores of the island. According to the U.S. President, he is working on this idea with the "fantastic Governor of Louisiana" Jeff Landry, as there are "many sick people in Greenland who are not receiving the necessary help." "It (the ship - Ed.) is already on its way," Trump noted in a post on the social media platform Truth Social.
The U.S. President's post was accompanied by an image, likely generated by artificial intelligence. It depicts the 272-meter hospital ship USNS Mercy, which is usually based in Southern California. It remains unclear whether this ship is actually being sent to Greenland.
Trump has repeatedly stated his claims to the island
Since the beginning of his second presidential term in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland "should, in one way or another," come under U.S. control, as this island plays a key role in ensuring the security of the Arctic region, as well as in terms of U.S. national security interests.
Danish and other European officials have responded by reminding that Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark, is already protected by NATO's collective defense norms. Additionally, the American military presence on the island is ensured by a 1951 agreement.
In January, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries that sent troops to Greenland as part of the Arctic Endurance mission - Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. However, soon after, the U.S. President backed away from escalating the conflict - he stated that a compromise was found during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. No details about the agreements were provided by the discussion participants.
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