European leaders rally behind Greenland amid renewed US interest
COPENHAGEN: Leaders from major European powers rallied behind Greenland on Tuesday, saying in a joint statement that the Arctic island belongs to its people, following renewed interest by US President Donald Trump in taking over the Danish territory.
Trump has in recent weeks repeated that he wants to gain control of Greenland, an idea first voiced in 2019 during his first presidency, arguing that it is vital for the US military, and that Denmark has not done enough to protect it.
A US military operation over the weekend in which Venezuela President was seized, has further rekindled concerns that Greenland might face a similar scenario. Greenland has repeatedly said it does not want to be part of the United States.
“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” said the statement by leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark.
They said security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively with Nato allies, including the US.
“NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up,” the statement said. “We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities, and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Denmark could count on the solidarity of all of Europe on the issue of Greenland.
“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,” Tusk told reporters in Warsaw.
The Netherlands also fully supports the joint statement, Dutch PM Dick Schoof said on X.
To fend off US criticism over Greenland’s defence capabilities, Denmark last year pledged $6.58 billion to boost its military presence in the Arctic.
World ‘governed by force’
In comments likely to alarm Washington’s European allies, White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller brushed aside concerns about Danish sovereignty and international law.
“You can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else. But we live in a world, in the real world, that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power,” Miller told CNN on Monday.
Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2026