Disinformation and Power in the Battle for Greenland

On April 25, Danish intelligence services attributed a media manipulation campaign to Russia, which falsely alleged, without evidence, that a Danish member of Parliament had sought Moscow's support to block a supposed U.S. plan to annex Greenland. While the story was fabricated, it touches on sensitive issues such as the Arctic balance, territorial sovereignty and relations between powers.

Such episodes cannot be interpreted unilaterally. While the West frequently denounces Russia as a source of disinformation, the United States and its allies also have been accused of employing similar strategies to influence global public opinion. Greenland, with its unique characteristics, has for years been the focus of an increasingly overt competition between Washington, Moscow and Beijing, making it plausible that multiple actors have an interest in shaping narratives to their advantage.

In the early months of 2024, several social media accounts, many linked to pro-Russian networks, began spreading the narrative that Karsten Honge, a Danish member of Parliament from the Social Democratic party, had sought Russia's intervention to prevent Greenland's secession from Denmark, anticipating a supposed U.S. annexation. To support this claim, a doctored image of an alleged Facebook post circulated, in which Honge appeared to be asking Moscow for help.

The sophisticated manipulation, which mimicked Facebook's graphic style, prompted a swift reaction from Honge, who labeled the episode “clear fake news” in a message on X, formerly Twitter, clarifying that he had never published any such appeal.

The Danish Defence Intelligence Service, known as FE, officially attributed the disinformation campaign involving the parliamentarian to Russia. According to FE’s analysis, the manipulated post was likely first disseminated by an influencer connected to Russian propaganda, already known for supporting Moscow's positions regarding the war in Ukraine. The French authority Viginum, specializing in countering disinformation, confirmed that the creator of the fake post was part of an influence network directly linked to the Russian state.

According to Danish authorities, the operation did not appear to directly target the elections in Greenland, but rather to exploit political sensitivities related to the island to create friction between Denmark and the United States. The false narrative, which portrayed the United States as an expansionist threat and Russia as a potential “protector,” fits into the Kremlin's strategy of weakening Western cohesion.

Frederiksen’s Visit to Greenland and the Battle for Influence in the Arctic

Concurrently with Danish intelligence's exposure of Russian disinformation operations concerning Greenland, Copenhagen continues to strengthen its presence on the island, both politically and symbolically. The visit by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to Greenland on April 3, 2025, offered an opportunity to reaffirm the ties between Copenhagen and the autonomous territory while also serving as a political operation of significant strategic importance. Frederiksen's decision to spend three days on the Arctic island, an unusually long period for an official visit, underscores the importance attached to the mission.

During her stay, the Danish leader met with Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede and representatives from local communities, visiting several development projects funded by Denmark. In a meeting with fishermen in Ilulissat, for example, Frederiksen announced a new aid package of 75 million kroner (about $11 million) to support the local fishing industry, a key sector of the Greenlandic economy. The most significant moment of the visit came during a joint news conference with Egede, when Frederiksen declared, “Greenland is not for sale, it has never been, and it never will be,” a clear warning to those with expansionist ambitions in the region.

Greenland, with its immense natural resources and strategic geographical location, has become a crucial arena for confrontation. The United States reopened its consulate in Nuuk in 2020 and increased infrastructure investments, while China has sought to acquire mining concessions for access to rare earth elements and other raw materials.

Russia, in addition to conducting disinformation operations like the one involving Danish lawmaker Karsten Hønge, is militarizing the Arctic, directly threatening the region’s balance. Neighboring Denmark is also seeking to consolidate its presence on the island through increased investments in infrastructure, connectivity and security, aiming to reduce dependence on external actors and counter destabilizing narratives.

Trump’s Ambitions for Greenland

Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland is not new. During his first term, the former U.S. president expressed a desire to annex the island, even suggesting its purchase. Throughout 2025, Trump reiterated his position, arguing that annexation would be crucial for American national security and, more controversially, for “world peace.” These statements were accompanied by allusions to potential military and economic measures aimed at gaining control of Greenlandic territory, triggering immediate and firm condemnation from both Copenhagen and Nuuk.

The Greenlandic government has consistently reaffirmed its unwavering opposition to any attempt at annexation, strongly reiterating its aspiration for self-determination and future independence. Trump’s insistence inevitably destabilizes the Arctic region and raises concerns about respect for international law, with many observers interpreting his remarks as an attempt to exert undue pressure on Denmark and undermine the bond between Copenhagen and Nuuk.

The challenge for Copenhagen and the West now lies in keeping Greenland within the Euro-Atlantic orbit without generating new friction. Russian disinformation, Frederiksen’s visit and Trump’s remarks demonstrate that the island is a point of collision between powers, where not only economic and strategic interests are at stake but also opposing narratives.

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