Greenland: US tells Denmark to 'calm down' over alleged influence operation

The aim was reportedly to infiltrate Greenland's society and promote its secession from Denmark.

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Denmark's public broadcaster DR quoted sources as saying the aim was to infiltrate society and promote its secession from Denmark to the US, although it was unable to clarify who the men were working for.

A White House official would not confirm an influence campaign was underway, but said: "We think the Danes need to calm down."

Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said "any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom [of Denmark] will of course be unacceptable".

Danish intelligence warned Greenland was being targeted by "various kinds of influence campaigns".