Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has directly challenged US President Donald Trump over his threats to seize Greenland, during a tense telephone conversation between the two leaders.
A Stark Warning on Greenland's Integrity
Downing Street confirmed that during the call on Wednesday evening, Sir Keir clearly set out the UK's position on the escalating crisis surrounding the Danish territory. This intervention follows President Trump's repeated assertions that Greenland is vital for US national security and his administration's exploration of plans to either purchase the island or assume control of its defence.
The Prime Minister's stance aligns with a joint statement issued on Tuesday with European allies, including France's Emmanuel Macron and Denmark's Mette Frederiksen. The leaders vowed to defend Greenland's 'territorial integrity' and the 'inviolability of its borders', declaring the island's future a matter solely for its people and Denmark.
NATO Alliance Under Strain
The situation has placed unprecedented strain on the NATO alliance. Danish PM Mette Frederiksen delivered a bleak assessment earlier this week, warning that a US military move against Greenland would spell the end of NATO and the post-war security framework. "If the US chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops," she stated.
Despite these warnings, a senior White House official confirmed that using the US military 'is always an option' and insisted the issue was "not going away". Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated a preference for a purchase, with plans to meet Danish officials next week. President Trump hinted a decision may come in "about two months," once the situation in Venezuela stabilises.
Broader Security Discussions and Joint Operations
The leaders' call also covered other pressing international security matters. They discussed recent progress on Ukraine and the US operation in Venezuela, where American forces recently captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Sir Keir has faced criticism from his own backbenchers for refusing to say whether that capture broke international law.
Furthermore, the conversation touched on the successful joint UK-US operation to seize the Russian-flagged oil tanker Bella 1 off the coast of Scotland. The vessel, linked to Venezuela and travelling towards Iceland, was intercepted with RAF and Royal Navy support.
Defence Secretary John Healey praised the operation as part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting by a "Russian-Iranian axis." He emphasised that the depth of the UK-US defence relationship, calling it "essential for our security," was demonstrated by the seamlessly executed mission.
While Downing Street did not reveal the full details of the exchange on Greenland, the Prime Minister's decision to explicitly state the UK's position marks a significant and firm diplomatic response to one of the most contentious issues currently facing the Western alliance.
