German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is set to hold high-level talks in Washington on Monday against the backdrop of U.S. threats of a potential violent takeover of Greenland and ongoing discussions on a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The conservative politician is expected to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with talks focusing on transatlantic security and defence policy.
Key issues on the agenda include the situation in Greenland and continued support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Ahead of his departure, Wadephul reminded the United States of its responsibility to uphold freedom, self-determination, and its commitments to the NATO alliance.
U.S. President Donald Trump has cited Greenland’s strategic importance, the presence of Russian and Chinese vessels in the region, and the island’s natural resources as reasons for the recent threats.
On his way to Washington, Wadephul stopped in Iceland on Sunday for talks with his Icelandic counterpart, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, on security in the Arctic region. Iceland is located about 300 kilometres south-east of Greenland.
During the meeting, Wadephul said Germany was prepared to make a greater contribution to military security in the Arctic, noting that German armed forces were already involved in maritime surveillance operations in the region.
Like the United States and Germany, Iceland and Greenland—an autonomous territory of Denmark—are members of the NATO alliance.
Following his engagements in Washington, Wadephul is expected to travel to New York on Monday afternoon for talks with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The visit comes amid a U.S. announcement to withdraw from 66 international organisations, including several UN-affiliated bodies. Washington said the decision was based on claims that the organisations no longer align with U.S. interests.
Many of the affected organisations focus on issues such as climate and environmental protection, gender equality, education, democracy, civil society, and the rule of law.