Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has joined forces with key European allies to issue a robust defence of Greenland's sovereignty, following renewed threats from former US President Donald Trump to annex the territory.
A Unified European Stance
In a significant joint statement, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark declared they would "not stop defending" Greenland's territorial integrity. They emphasised that the vast, semi-autonomous Danish territory "belongs to its people" and that decisions about its future are for Denmark and Greenland alone.
The statement directly addresses comments from Mr Trump, who has repeatedly asserted that taking control of Greenland is vital for American national security. This position was recently underscored by one of his senior aides, who suggested no country would militarily challenge the US over the island's future.
NATO Unity and Arctic Security at Stake
The European leaders framed the issue as a critical test for the NATO alliance. They acknowledged the United States as an "essential partner" in Arctic defence, citing both its NATO membership and a 1951 defence pact with Denmark. However, they insisted that security in the strategically important region "must be achieved collectively."
"NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European allies are stepping up," the statement read. It highlighted increased European military presence and investments in the Arctic to deter adversaries, implicitly referencing Russia.
The leaders stressed that the Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – is part of NATO, and that its security should be upheld by respecting core principles of the UN Charter: sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders.
Political Repercussions and Warnings
The strong language from Sir Keir and his counterparts follows stark warnings from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. She stated that any US military action against Greenland would mean the end of the NATO alliance, a sentiment echoed by UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Mr Streeting warned that such a move would destabilise the alliance at a time of heightened threat from Russia.
When questioned, the Prime Minister's official spokesman declined to speculate on whether the UK would engage in a military fight for Greenland, avoiding "hypotheticals." He also stated that Sir Keir did not view Mr Trump as a threat to European security.
The controversy was fuelled further by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who questioned the legitimacy of Denmark's claim to Greenland in a CNN interview, while simultaneously dismissing the prospect of military resistance.
Sir Keir Starmer has consistently affirmed that the UK "stands with" Denmark on this issue, reiterating on Monday, 6 January 2026, that the territory's future is solely a matter for its people and the Danish government.
