NATO’s silence regarding former U.S. President Donald Trump’s expressed interest in acquiring Greenland has raised concerns among European capitals, who fear the alliance is not adequately defending the rights of Denmark. The alliance has not publicly affirmed Denmark and Greenland’s territorial integrity or sovereignty in response to Trump’s stated ambition for the Arctic island.
European Concerns Over NATO’s Response
The lack of a public statement from NATO has angered European members attempting to present a united front and de-escalate transatlantic tensions. This contrasts with the European Union’s recent efforts to support Copenhagen.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who maintains a positive relationship with Trump, has been notably quiet on the issue. Proposals from Paris and other capitals for increased NATO activity in Greenland have not yet been implemented.
While European officials acknowledge the limitations imposed by the U.S.’s central role within the military alliance, many expressed to the Financial Times that NATO’s inaction risks emboldening Trump and highlighting Europe’s security reliance on Washington.
“Since we’re clearly talking about nations that are all Nato allies, Nato should initiate a serious debate on this… in order to reduce or ease the pressure on the issue,” said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Trump’s Claims and Potential Actions
Trump has asserted that Denmark has failed to adequately secure the island and invest in its defense, citing increased Russian and Chinese naval activity. The White House indicated that military action was “an option” alongside potential purchase or other means of gaining control.
This situation presents a significant challenge for NATO and Rutte. A U.S. invasion or annexation would create a direct conflict between two allies, potentially undermining Article 5 – the mutual defense clause central to the alliance.
“They’re conspicuously silent,” said one EU official. “Rutte was supposed to be the man Europe could rely on to be our Trump-whisperer. But he wasn’t supposed to be this quiet.”
One alliance diplomat noted, “Of course, it is difficult to discuss these things inside Nato,” but added that silence “implies that we are all OK with what is going on.”
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart stated that the Secretary-General is “working closely with leaders and senior officials on both sides of the Atlantic,” but declined to disclose details of diplomatic discussions.
Denmark’s Shifting Stance
For much of last year, Copenhagen adopted a low-profile approach, avoiding public responses to Trump’s statements and urging allies to do the same. However, this tactic was abandoned this week.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that Trump was “serious” about acquiring Greenland, and that “if the US chooses to attack another Nato country militarily, everything stops. Including our Nato.”
European officials involved in negotiations in Brussels said Frederiksen’s statement was influenced by frustration with NATO’s silence and a desire to emphasize the stakes involved.
Danish lawmakers have called for NATO to take a more active role, with Carsten Bach, a Liberal Alliance MP, suggesting a discussion under Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which addresses threats against member states.
EU and Allied Support for Denmark
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that “law is stronger than force” regarding Greenland, while Council President António Costa affirmed that “Nothing can be decided about Denmark and about Greenland without Denmark, or without Greenland.”
The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the UK released a joint statement with Denmark, affirming their commitment to defending the principles of “sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders”.
NATO officials and member state diplomats report ongoing private diplomacy and internal efforts to enhance collective security in the Arctic region. There has been a recent trend among NATO states in the region to support increased alliance leadership.
“We have Baltic Sentry, why not have Greenland Sentry? That is what we can do,” said EU defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius, referencing a NATO mission focused on protecting critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
“I don’t know about those discussions inside of Nato [about Greenland], and how they are happening. But just looking from the outside, Nato is in some kind of special situation,” Kubilius added, citing the membership of both Denmark and the US.
“Ukraine is easy for us. Russia has long been the enemy. Greenland is much more complicated. The US is meant to be our great ally. That just makes everything so much more difficult,” said a senior Nordic diplomat.
Rutte told CNN that he agreed with Trump’s assessment of increased Russian and Chinese activities in the region and the need for enhanced security. He also noted that Denmark is investing in its military and that “the Danes are totally fine if the US would have a bigger presence [in Greenland] than they have now.”
Additional reporting by Amy Kazmin in Rome and Andy Bounds in Brussels
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