[2] Both countries agreed on a process in 2005 to resolve the issue,[3] which was finally settled in 2022, resulting in the creation of a land border on the island between the two states.

The Danish argument was that Hans Island was vital to their indigenous populations for fishing, creating an integral part of the nearby Greenlandic area.

The dividing line in the area between Greenland and the Canadian Arctic Islands, established for the purpose of each Party's exploration and exploitation of the natural resources of that part of the continental shelf which in accordance with international law appertains to Denmark and to Canada respectively, is a median line which has been determined and adjusted by mutual agreement.

A Canadian Special Senate Committee on the Arctic meeting was held on March 18, 2019, where the conflict was deemed "almost insignificant" by Michael Byers, a Professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia, consulting as a civilian on the matter.

Despite the serious official nature of the matter, the manner in which the conflict was prosecuted was light-hearted, demonstrated by the length of time taken to settle the dispute, if nothing else.

The resolution occurred during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and was thus meant to create a symbolic example to other nations, implying to Russia that land disputes can be resolved peacefully.