Poulsen told Danish media that the meeting had been requested by Hegseth as he attended a Nato talks in Brussels.
“I imagine we will talk about the entire situation relating to the Arctic,” Poulsen said, adding that he also expected Ukraine to be discussed.
The meeting between the two defence ministers will take place prior to a meeting of the ‘Ramstein’ group of 57 nations which support Ukraine materially in its defence against the Russian invasion.
“[Hegseth] has asked for a meeting with me and I have accepted. It won't be a long meeting, but one in which we can exchange greetings,” Poulsen said.
Relations between Denmark and the US are strained by President Donald Trump’s aim of taking control of Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Danish Kingdom.
Poulsen said that he did not plan to speak about the US pursuit of Greenland but about the situation in the Arctic more generally.
The Danish government has stated that the US has a legitimate point in its criticism of Denmark’s military presence in the region.
Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte said he is working for a joint plan for Arctic security that will include the United States. Rutte hopes this will provide a solution to the issue.
“We share the same concerns the Americans have expressed in relation to the Arctic. That’s why we are working towards, and will hopefully achieve some reinforcement targets which will do more to meet the challenges we face in the Arctic,” Poulsen said.
He said he also wants to appeal to Hegseth over the Transatlantic bond between Europe and the US.
“We have more in common than what separates us,” he said.
“I will also try to convince the new American government that Europe is now moving towards a new place in relation to taking more responsibility for our own security,” he added.
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