The United States will "in the course of this summer consult with its allies, both bilaterally and within NATO," a statement released on Tuesday said.

The ministry said it was sticking to its promise to involve the authorities in Greenland in the discussions, and local government officials would be taking part in Wednesday's meetings, it added.

The Danish territory, which is home to a key US radar base in Thule, has
expressed concerns it could again be caught in the middle if a new Cold
War between Russia and the United States develops because of the missile
shield.

The Danish government has not yet taken a position on the Thule base, which could become an important component within the missile shield once it is built.

Copenhagen said it would only express itself once it "has received a concrete demand from Washington" regarding Thule, the ministry said.