Leaders from several European nations have voiced strong support for Greenland, affirming the Arctic island’s right to self-determination following renewed discussion of a potential U.S. takeover initiated by President Donald Trump.
European Leaders Back Greenland’s Sovereignty
Trump and members of his administration have recently revisited the idea of the United States acquiring Greenland, an idea initially proposed during his first term in office.
Concerns among Danish officials and European allies have been heightened by a recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela, prompting fears Greenland could face a similar fate.
On Sunday, following the Venezuelan operation, Trump again publicly expressed interest in bringing Greenland under American control.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has consistently stated that the people of Greenland do not desire to become part of the United States.
In response, the leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark issued a joint statement on Tuesday asserting that “Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”
The leaders emphasized that security in the Arctic region should be achieved collaboratively with NATO allies, including the United States. They noted NATO’s prioritization of the Arctic and increased engagement from European allies.
“We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities, and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries,” the statement read.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also publicly supported the joint statement via a post on X.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated, “No member should attack or threaten another member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Otherwise, NATO would lose its meaning if conflict or mutual conflicts occurred within the alliance.”
The joint statement followed White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller’s refusal to dismiss the possibility of military action to acquire the island.
“You can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else,” Miller told CNN.
- The United States has expressed interest in Greenland due to its strategic location between Europe and North America.
- Greenland’s mineral wealth is seen as a way for the U.S. to reduce reliance on Chinese exports.
- Denmark pledged 42 billion Danish crowns ($9.7 billion) last year to bolster its military presence in the Arctic.
Greenland’s Prime Minister welcomed the European leaders’ pledge of solidarity and reiterated his call for the U.S. to engage in “respectful dialogue.”
“The dialogue must take place with respect for the fact that Greenland’s status is rooted in international law and the principle of territorial integrity,” he said in a Facebook post.
U.S. Special Envoy Jeff Landry, when asked about the European statement, told CNBC that security should be a primary concern for the United States, and suggested the question of security should be directed to the people of Greenland.
Trump appointed Landry, the Republican governor of Louisiana, as his special envoy to Greenland last month, tasking him with “leading the charge” for the island.
Landry stated Tuesday that Trump is offering Greenland economic opportunities and does not believe the president would attempt to take the island by force.
“I think that the president supports an independent Greenland with economic ties and trade opportunities for the United States,” Landry said, adding that the US has more to offer than Europe.
Island Offers Strategic Benefits to US
Miller asserted Monday that a military operation was not necessary to consider the issue.
“Nobody is going to fight the US militarily over the future of Greenland,” he told CNN.
Shortly after Saturday’s operation in Venezuela, Miller’s wife, Katie Miller, posted a map of Greenland painted with the American flag on X, accompanied by the text “SOON.”
Greenland, the world’s largest island with a population of just 57,000, is not an independent NATO member but is protected by Denmark’s membership in the alliance.
The island’s location is critical to the U.S. ballistic missile defense system, and its mineral resources align with Washington’s goal of reducing dependence on Chinese exports.
Reuters
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