European leaders unite to defend Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, rejecting US President Trump’s renewed interest in the strategic Arctic territory.
BERLIN: A coalition of European leaders has voiced strong support for Denmark following renewed comments by US President Donald Trump about its autonomous Arctic territory, Greenland.
The leaders of Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain issued a joint statement on Tuesday affirming that sovereignty and territorial integrity are universal principles they will defend.
Washington’s recent military intervention in Venezuela has stoked fresh concerns over Trump’s long-standing interest in Greenland, a territory rich in untapped rare earth deposits.
Its strategic location on the shortest missile route between Russia and the US, and the presence of an existing American military base, adds to its geopolitical significance.
With the Venezuela situation taking precedence, Trump remarked on Sunday that “we’ll worry about Greenland in about two months”.
The European leaders declared Arctic security a key priority for Europe and critical for international stability.
They noted that NATO has identified the Arctic as a priority, with European allies increasing their presence and investments to keep the region safe.
The statement stressed that Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO.
“Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States,” the leaders said.
They reiterated that these principles of sovereignty and inviolable borders are universal.
The statement was signed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
The leaders acknowledged the US as an essential partner in ensuring Arctic security.
They concluded by asserting that “Greenland belongs to its people,” and decisions concerning it rest solely with Denmark and Greenland.
