EU backs Denmark as Trump escalates Greenland takeover threats

Saturday 10 January 2026 - 11:50

By: Dakir Madiha

EU backs Denmark as Trump escalates Greenland takeover threats

European leaders rallied firmly behind Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland this week after US President Donald Trump ramped up threats to seize the Arctic territory, stating the United States would "do something about Greenland, whether they like it or not."

European Council President Antonio Costa declared on January 7 that "Greenland belongs to its people" and pledged the European Union's "unreserved support and solidarity" to Denmark, speaking in Nicosie. He stressed that "nothing can be decided about Denmark and Greenland without Denmark, or without Greenland."

Trump's comments intensified his push to acquire the Danish territory, telling reporters on Friday that "if we don't act, Russia or China will take Greenland, and we won't have Russia or China as a neighbor." On January 6, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called Greenland acquisition a "national security priority" and affirmed that "using the US military remains an option."

Seven European nations issued a joint statement on January 6 upholding Greenland's sovereignty, with leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Denmark asserting that "Greenland belongs to its people." Signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and others, it emphasized that "it is for Denmark and Greenland, and them alone, to decide matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

The leaders vowed to uphold "United Nations Charter principles, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of frontiers" as "universal principles." Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that any bid to undermine NATO's core by threatening another member would meet European resistance.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cautioned that a US attack on Greenland would dissolve the NATO alliance, as Denmark invokes Article 5, the collective defense clause. "If the United States decides to attack another NATO member, then everything stops including NATO and thus the post-World War II security order," Frederiksen stated.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio scheduled meetings next week with Danish and Greenlandic officials, while refusing to rule out military action. Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen urgently requested these talks after prior meeting requests went unanswered.

Greenland, an autonomous territory of about 57,000 residents within the Kingdom of Denmark, has repeatedly stated it is not for sale. Territory Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen thanked European allies for their backing, calling their solidarity "a clear signal that territorial integrity, sovereignty, and international rules still apply."

Trump's renewed interest in Greenland follows a US military operation in Venezuela that captured former President Nicolás Maduro. He claimed, without evidence, that Greenland is "covered with Russian and Chinese ships everywhere," a portrayal disputed by experts.