The Danish intelligence services have accused Russia of orchestrating a disinformation campaign claiming that a Danish parliamentarian sought Russian help to prevent the United States from annexing Greenland.
Social media posts alleged that Karsten Honge, a member of parliament from the left-wing Socialist People’s Party, aimed to stop the autonomous Danish territory from becoming independent and sought Russia’s assistance for this.
The campaign included a fabricated image of a Facebook post supposedly signed by Honge. “Fake news,” a spokesman for the intelligence services said on X. “The Danish Defence Intelligence Service (FE) established on Friday that Russia is behind this campaign.”
“The false message originates from an influencer who previously supported Russia’s projects in Ukraine,” said the FE.
The Danish intelligence services received information from Viginum, a French agency combating foreign digital interference, indicating that this individual is “part of an influence network acting on behalf of the Russian state.”
The campaign should be seen in the context of an ongoing influence operation in which Russia attempts to sow discord in Trans-Atlantic relations and undermine Western support for Ukraine, according to the FE.
Since initiating his second term, Donald Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to annex Greenland, citing US security needs. This has caused significant tensions with Copenhagen.
Trump has not ruled out the use of force to acquire the territory. Polls show that the majority of Greenland’s 57,000 residents, though desiring independence from Denmark, do not wish to become American.
