European leaders from NATO member states have issued a joint statement affirming that “Greenland belongs to its people” and that the fate of this Arctic island, and of Denmark alone, will determine its future, following the Trump administration’s renewed interest in its territorial claim.
The statement emphasizes that NATO and its allies have intensified their activities and investments to make the Arctic a safer place, and that Denmark and Greenland are integral to this alliance.
This statement was signed by the leaders of eight countries, including Denmark.
Greenland is an autonomous island within Denmark; since returning to the White House, Trump has repeatedly stated that it should become American. After ordering attacks against Venezuela and the arrest of its leader, Nicolás Maduro, Trump reiterated his desire to annex Greenland, prompting European leaders to issue a statement widely seen as a strong condemnation of the US president’s rhetoric.
A declaration on Greenland was issued Tuesday, signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
This declaration affirms that security in the Arctic must be ensured collectively with NATO allies, including the United States, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, particularly sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders.
The statement released after Trump’s recent remarks on Greenland asserted: “These are universal principles, and we will not cease to defend them.” Trump did not rule out the use of force to achieve this goal.
The statement added that the United States is a key partner in this endeavor, both as a NATO ally and through the 1951 US-Denmark Defense Treaty.
This statement appears to contradict Trump’s remarks on Sunday, in which he stated that a US annexation of Greenland would benefit the European Union. Danish Foreign Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that if the United States were to militarily attack another NATO member, “everything would stop,” including the alliance that has guaranteed security since the end of World War II.
In an interview with CNN on Monday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller questioned Denmark’s claim to the territory, without specifying whether the United States would use force to achieve its goals.
European leaders issued a statement affirming: “NATO has made it clear that the Arctic is a top priority and that European Allies are actively working towards this goal. Together with many other Allies, we have strengthened our presence, activities, and investments to ensure Arctic security and deter adversaries. The Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland, is a member of NATO.”
The statement adds: “Greenland belongs to its people. Decisions concerning Denmark and Greenland fall exclusively within its jurisdiction.”
On Tuesday morning, the White House had not yet reacted to the statement by European leaders, but this could increase diplomatic tensions between Washington and NATO at a delicate time when the alliance is trying to maintain good relations with Trump, amid security concerns in Europe related to the war waged by Russia against Ukraine.