European leaders reaffirm Greenland sovereignty after Trump renews comments on possible U.S. acquisition

“It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” the leaders said. The statement followed Trump’s repeated references during his second term to the possibility of acquiring the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

Trump told reporters that Greenland, a NATO territory, is “covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.” “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” he added.

Frederiksen condemned the remarks, warning that a US military attack on Greenland would end the NATO alliance. “I will also make it clear that if the U.S. chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War,” she said.

The European leaders also stressed the importance of the transatlantic alliance and NATO’s role in the Arctic. They said NATO has identified the region as a priority, with European allies increasing their presence, activities and investments “to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.”

“Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders,” the statement said. “The United States is an essential partner in this endeavour, as a NATO ally and through the defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951.”

Source: The Hill.