Hours after a senior aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump made a controversial assertion that Greenland should be part of the United States, leaders from several major European countries rallied behind Denmark and Greenland, intensifying a diplomatic dispute with Washington.
In a rare joint statement, the heads of state and government from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark reaffirmed that “Greenland belongs to its people” and that decisions about its future should be made solely by Denmark and Greenland. They stressed that Arctic security should be ensured collectively through NATO, upholding the principles of the UN Charter including sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The diplomatic row escalated after White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller told CNN that Denmark’s claim over Greenland was questionable and suggested it should become part of the United States to secure the Arctic and defend NATO interests — a stance he described as the U.S. government’s position. Miller also dismissed the likelihood of military resistance to such a move. (euronews)
European reactions went beyond the joint declaration. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any attempt by the U.S. to invade Greenland would mean the “end of NATO”, and German officials said that attacking a NATO ally would trigger collective defence obligations under the alliance.
The controversy comes amid broader tensions following recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, and has prompted European unity in defending Greenland’s sovereignty — a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and a NATO member.
