Europe Unites in Support of Denmark Amid U.S. President’s Renewed Push for Greenland Control
European leaders have issued a strong show of solidarity with Denmark following repeated statements from United States President Donald Trump asserting the need for American control over Greenland. Seven prominent heads of government, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, jointly declared that any attempt by the United States to seize or control the territory would violate core NATO principles and the United Nations Charter.
The leaders emphasized the importance of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders in a shared statement. They affirmed that Greenland belongs to its people and that decisions regarding its relations fall exclusively to Denmark and Greenland. While acknowledging the United States as a vital partner in Arctic security, they stressed that all actions in the region must occur collectively through NATO alliances and in full respect of international law.
President Trump has consistently argued that Greenland's strategic position and abundant mineral resources make it essential for U.S. national security. He has described the island as surrounded by Russian and Chinese vessels, insisting that Denmark lacks the capability to adequately protect it. Trump has not excluded the possibility of military measures to achieve control, pointing to its value for high-tech industries and defense purposes. These remarks gained renewed intensity after a recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela, raising alarms across Europe about potential similar actions elsewhere.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded firmly, warning that a U.S. military move against Greenland would effectively end NATO. She stated that an attack on one ally by another would halt the alliance's operations and undermine the post-World War II security framework that has safeguarded the region for decades. Frederiksen urged taking Trump's intentions seriously, noting that Denmark will not tolerate threats to Greenland or the broader kingdom.
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen expressed appreciation for the European backing while advocating for composure and diplomatic engagement. He reiterated that the country is not available for purchase and that its future must be shaped through respectful negotiations rooted in international law and territorial integrity. Nielsen dismissed provocative gestures, such as a social media image depicting Greenland colored in American flag hues with the caption "SOON," as disrespectful to established relations between nations. He assured residents there is no immediate risk of an overnight takeover and called for continued positive cooperation.
The United States currently maintains the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, established under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark. The facility plays a key role in missile warning, defense, and space surveillance, benefiting both U.S. and NATO interests.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reinforced the European position by stating that Denmark can count on full continental solidarity, adding that threats or attacks between NATO members would render the alliance meaningless.
In a related development, Germany has positioned the frigate Sachsen in the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and North Atlantic as part of ongoing NATO efforts to secure northern waters.
This escalating dispute highlights broader concerns over Arctic security, resource competition, and the stability of transatlantic alliances at a time of heightened global tensions. Leaders on both sides of the Atlantic continue to monitor the situation closely, with calls for dialogue prevailing amid firm defenses of sovereignty.