Trump tells Norway he doesn't feel obligated to "think purely about peace" after not receiving the Nobel
Store reminds him that Oslo does not award the prize and reiterates his support for Denmark regarding US demands on Greenland
US President Donald Trump has told Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store that he no longer considers it necessary to “think purely about peace” after not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, according to Oslo, which reminded him that the authorities have no responsibility for awarding the prize, amid tensions over the White House’s demands to annex Greenland.
“Dear Jonas: Since your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars or more, there is no longer any obligation to think purely about peace, although it will continue to be a dominant factor, so that I can think about what is good and right for the United States,” he said in his message, according to Norwegian media reports.
Store confirmed that he received this message from Trump, in what he described as “a response to a short text message” sent on his behalf and that of Finnish President Alexander Stubb, to express the “opposition” of both countries, along with eight other European states, to Washington’s plans to annex Greenland.
“We pointed out the need to de-escalate tensions and proposed a phone call between Trump, Stubb, and myself that same day. Trump’s response arrived shortly after sending the message. It was his decision to share it with other NATO leaders,” Store said, according to a statement released by his office.
Store emphasized that “Norway’s position on Greenland is clear” and noted that Oslo “supports NATO taking responsible steps to strengthen security and stability in the Arctic,” adding that he “clearly” explained to Trump that the Nobel Peace Prize “is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee, and not by the Norwegian government.”
