European Leaders Rally Behind Denmark as Trump Renews Threats Over Greenland Sovereignty
Copenhagen witnessed an unusual show of European unity after leaders from seven major European nations issued a joint declaration reaffirming Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, pushing back strongly against renewed threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to annex the Arctic territory. The statement comes amid rising unease over Washington’s increasingly assertive posture following its recent military intervention in Venezuela.
The declaration was signed by the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. It stressed that “Greenland belongs to its people” and that only Greenland and Denmark have the authority to decide its future. The message was widely interpreted as a direct rebuttal to Trump’s escalating rhetoric.
Trump’s Remarks Rekindle Greenland Annexation Debate
The controversy intensified after President Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, claimed that the United States needed Greenland for national security. He asserted that Denmark was incapable of safeguarding the territory’s strategic interests. The remarks revived a long-running but previously dormant debate over U.S. ambitions in the Arctic.
Trump has repeatedly framed Greenland as a strategic necessity rather than a sovereign territory. This approach has alarmed European capitals, especially given Washington’s growing willingness to employ military force to secure geopolitical objectives.
Senior US Officials Escalate the Rhetoric
Tensions deepened after Trump’s senior aide Stephen Miller stated on CNN that Greenland “should be part of the US” to secure Arctic dominance and protect NATO interests. Miller argued that the United States is the central power within NATO, a claim that unsettled European allies already wary of Washington’s unilateral tendencies.
Such statements have reinforced concerns that the Greenland issue is not rhetorical posturing alone but part of a broader strategic recalibration under Trump’s leadership.
Force Not Ruled Out After Venezuela Precedent
Adding to the unease, Trump has not ruled out the use of force. His remarks echo similar threats made during his first term regarding Venezuela. Those threats materialised last week when U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a swift military raid.
The Venezuela operation has fundamentally altered how European governments interpret Trump’s language. What was once dismissed as political theatre is now viewed as a credible indicator of future action.
Denmark Warns of NATO’s Collapse
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued one of the strongest warnings yet, stating that any U.S. takeover of Greenland would effectively mark the end of NATO. She argued that such an act would violate the alliance’s core principle of collective defence against external aggression.
Frederiksen emphasised that NATO is built on the expectation that allies protect one another, not threaten territorial integrity from within. According to her, a U.S. move against Denmark would dismantle the post-World War II security framework that has underpinned European stability for decades.
Greenland Rejects Comparisons With Venezuela
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called for calm and respectful dialogue grounded in international law. He rejected comparisons between Greenland and Venezuela, describing them as unfounded and misleading.
Nielsen stressed that Greenland’s status as a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark is governed by established legal frameworks. He reiterated that decisions about Greenland’s future must rest with its people, not external powers.
Why Greenland Matters Strategically
Greenland has been semi-autonomous since 1979, yet its geopolitical value has surged in recent years. Melting Arctic ice has opened new shipping routes, intensified competition for mineral resources, and drawn heightened interest from Russia and China.
The United States already operates the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland under a 1951 defence agreement. The base plays a critical role in missile warning systems and space surveillance for NATO. However, European leaders argue that existing arrangements already address security concerns without infringing on sovereignty.
Greenlanders Oppose US Control
Public opinion within Greenland strongly opposes any form of U.S. control. Polls indicate overwhelming resistance to annexation. A resident of Ilulissat, Morgan Angaju, captured the prevailing sentiment by stating that Greenland is already claimed by its people. He noted that Kalaallit Nunaat literally means the land of the Greenlandic people.
Such views complicate Washington’s narrative that annexation would be welcomed or beneficial.
Analysts See Broader Strategic Calculations
Analysts suggest Trump’s Greenland rhetoric serves multiple objectives. It may divert attention from the controversial Venezuela operation. It also signals a long-term U.S. strategy aimed at Arctic dominance, which future administrations could pursue regardless of political alignment.
Additionally, the messaging appears intended to warn Greenland against deepening economic or strategic ties with Beijing or Moscow. The Arctic has emerged as a critical arena in great-power competition.
Europe’s Strategic Dilemma
Geopolitical experts have described the unfolding situation as Europe’s “major geopolitical disaster.” He argued that Europe is increasingly squeezed between expanding U.S. ambitions and Russian assertiveness, highlighting the continent’s declining influence in an emerging multipolar world.
The joint European statement calls for collective NATO efforts to address Arctic security challenges without violating sovereignty. However, tensions persist. As Frederiksen urged European leaders to take Trump “seriously,” the episode has exposed deep fractures within the transatlantic alliance, with lasting implications for global norms on territorial integrity.
