Leaders of several European nations on Tuesday issued a joint statement rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to seize Greenland from Denmark, stressing that sovereignty and international law must be respected.
The statement, signed by the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, said security in the Arctic region must be “achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States,” and in line with the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and the inviolability of borders.
While describing the United States as an “essential partner” within NATO, the leaders emphasized that “Greenland belongs to its people” and that decisions concerning Greenland rest solely with Denmark and Greenland.
In a separate statement, Greenland Premier Orla Joelsen thanked European leaders for defending Greenland’s autonomy and made clear that the territory is not open to annexation.
“Our country is not something that can be annexed or taken over simply because someone wishes to do so,” Joelsen said. He added that, amid repeated statements from the U.S. president claiming America is serious about Greenland, support from NATO allies was “both important and unequivocal.”
Trump and senior aides have recently intensified rhetoric portraying Greenland as vital to U.S. national security. On Monday, top aide Stephen Miller declined to rule out the use of military force to take control of the territory, arguing that American global leadership requires asserting U.S. interests “without an apology.”
European concerns have reportedly grown following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, which diplomats see as evidence that Trump may act on his threats. Danish officials told U.S. media that the Venezuela operation served as a wake-up call, reinforcing fears that Greenland could be targeted against the wishes of its people.
Analysts warn that Europe’s muted response to U.S. actions elsewhere could embolden further pressure. Nathalie Tocci, director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali, argued that failing to firmly oppose such interventions risks encouraging more aggressive moves. She warned that ambiguity could be interpreted as submission and invite further challenges to European sovereignty.
Trump’s statements on Greenland have drawn criticism across the U.S. political spectrum. Republican Representative Don Bacon described the threats as “embarrassing,” saying they undermine trust among allies and benefit adversaries such as Russia and China.
“Denigrating our allies serves no purpose,” he said, urging an end to what he called reckless rhetoric toward a NATO partner.
