Denmark warns US against invading Greenland

The Danish defence ministry said that soldiers will be required to shoot first and ask questions later if the United States invades Greenland. This is in accordance with the army's rule of engagement from 1952 that requires soldiers to attack invaders without waiting for orders from higher-ups. The ministry clarified that the rule "remains in force" when Berlingske, a Danish newspaper, asked about the status of the directive.According to Danish newspaper Berlingske, the 1952 rule says that if an invasion occurs, 'the attacked forces must immediately take up the fight without waiting for or seeking orders, even if the commanders in question are not aware of the declaration of war or state of war'.

Trump's threats towards Greenland have angered European leaders, who rallied together through a joint statement to fight for the island's 'territorial integrity'. Seven leaders - from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark - declared they will 'not stop defending' Greenland. They called America an 'essential partner' and reiterated that the US and Denmark signed a defense agreement in 1951. 'Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,' they said.

In response, Trump launched a ferocious attack on his NATO allies, just hours after America seized a Russian oil tanker in European waters. 'most weren't paying their bills' - just 2 percent of their GDP on defense, well short of the 5 percent target set last summer at the Hague. 'Until I came along,' Trump said. 'The USA was, foolishly, paying for them.'

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has discussed the possibility of offering direct cash payments to residents of Greenland to persuade the Arctic territory to break away from Denmark, according to news agency Reuters. The discussions, which have involved White House aides and other senior US officials, are part of a set of options being considered as President Donald Trump renews his long-standing push to bring Greenland under US control. The idea, however, has drawn sharp resistance from Greenlandic and European leaders. According to the report, US officials have discussed offering lump-sum payments to Greenlanders to try to persuade them to favour a split from Denmark and greater affinity with the United States. Reuters reported that two of the sources said figures between $10,000 and $100,000 per head were mentioned during discussions, but no final proposal has been drawn up.