European leaders have hardened their stance against Donald Trump's threat to take control of Greenland, with the UK and six other powers issuing a joint statement reaffirming Danish sovereignty. The statement, from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, and the UK, declared that only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning the territory.
The threat, which Trump described as happening 'one way or the other,' is now taken seriously in Europe following the US military raid on Venezuela. Analysts say Trump's justification—protecting Greenland from Russia or China—does not hold up, as US security concerns could be met without annexation.
Denmark is seeking to de-escalate the crisis through security promises, while insisting Greenland is not for sale. The territory has been semiautonomous since 1979 and is defended by Nato. Existing cold war-era treaties allow the US to deploy more troops and reopen military bases.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hopes to broker a 'modus vivendi' with Washington, addressing US Arctic security concerns under existing treaties. He has spoken twice with Trump about protecting the 'high north' from Russian incursion. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has called on Nato to step up Arctic work, without directly mentioning Trump's threat.
The European response highlights a dilemma: confronting the US risks exposing Europe's military dependence on Washington, while appeasement may encourage further rogue-state actions. The price of confrontation is high, but leaders are now showing unity in defence of Greenland's sovereignty.
