Greenland, Denmark, US to Sign Arctic Security Pact at UN Next Week

The United States, Denmark, and Greenland have reached an agreement to expand the American military presence in the Arctic, with a formal signing set for next week during the United Nations General Assembly in New York [244678][244614].

US President Donald Trump announced the deal on Friday, saying it respects the sovereignty of both Denmark and Greenland [244614]. Denmark confirmed the agreement and said it will be signed during the UN gathering [244614]. The Danish prime minister's office said the deal must still pass parliamentary approval in each country before it can take effect [244678].

The agreement marks a significant expansion of the US military footprint in Greenland, a strategically located territory that has drawn increasing attention from Washington [244614].

The signing comes as world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly, where several other major diplomatic developments are expected. Israel and Morocco agreed on Wednesday to open embassies in each other's countries following a meeting in New York between their top diplomats and the US ambassador to the United Nations [244645].

The UN assembly also follows a series of high-level diplomatic exchanges. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the Middle East situation, a call that came after a trip to Beijing by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and ahead of an expected summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington [243364]. China and the United States are also discussing possible announcements to strengthen military-to-military ties during Xi's visit, including restarting arms-control talks suspended in 2024 over US weapons sales to Taiwan [243818].

The United States will permit an Iranian delegation to attend the UN General Assembly despite ongoing conflict between the two countries, though the delegation will be smaller than last year's and its members will face travel restrictions and a ban on buying luxury goods [243996]. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will be part of the approved delegation, according to a source familiar with the matter [243996].

Meanwhile, Trump said Tehran has contacted Washington directly to make a deal, adding, "I hope we are moving toward the end of the war" [244069].

The US House of Representatives passed a resolution to limit Trump's ability to take military action against Iran without congressional approval, voting 220 to 204 with several Republicans joining Democrats in support [242111]. The resolution now moves to the Senate, where its future is uncertain [242111].

The diplomatic activity extends beyond the Middle East. Trump said Russia and Ukraine have agreed not to attack each other's energy facilities [241095]. Ukraine also received the bodies of 252 fallen soldiers from Russia in one of the few exchanges still working between the two countries [243972].

The US Congress passed its most significant Russia sanctions package since Trump returned to the White House, and the bill now goes to the president for his signature [242714]. Trump has said he will sign it [242714]. However, Trump is also offering Russia business deals as an alternative path to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine [243924].

French President Emmanuel Macron announced France will host a G7 meeting on energy in the coming weeks as fuel prices rise amid the US-Iran war [244632]. Macron also said he ordered measures to protect France's critical infrastructure from what he called increasing Russian "hybrid attacks," which combine military and non-military tactics such as cyberattacks, disinformation, and sabotage [244632].

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he spoke recently with Trump about Iran and Ukraine, though he did not provide details on timing or what was decided [239629].