BRUSSELS, Belgium — Seven European leaders have rallied behind Denmark amid rising tensions with the United States over Greenland, warning that any attempt to seize the Arctic territory would breach NATO principles and violate international law.
The leaders cautioned that threats against Greenland undermine the UN Charter and the founding values of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, as US President Donald Trump renews claims that Washington should take control of the mineral-rich island.
Trump has argued that the United States “needs” Greenland for national and Arctic security, citing its strategic location and vast reserves critical for high-tech industries.
He has also refused to rule out the use of military force — remarks that have unsettled European allies.
In a joint show of solidarity, the leaders — French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen — stressed that Arctic security is a collective responsibility and must be pursued within NATO and the framework of international law.
“Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations,” the leaders said.
While acknowledging the United States as a key partner in Arctic defence, they insisted that all security measures must be agreed collectively within NATO.
Tensions intensified after Trump’s comments followed a US military intervention in Venezuela targeting President Nicolás Maduro, raising fears among European leaders that similar unilateral action could be contemplated elsewhere.
Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen warned that a military move against Greenland would effectively spell the end of NATO.
“If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops — including our NATO and the security that has existed since the end of the Second World War,” she said on Monday.
Frederiksen added that Trump “should be taken seriously” and made clear that Denmark would not accept threats to Greenland or the Danish kingdom.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed Europe’s backing but urged calm and diplomacy, stressing that Greenland’s future cannot be dictated by external pressure.
“Our country is not for sale, and our future is not decided by social media posts,” Nielsen said, adding that Greenland’s status is protected under international law and the principle of territorial integrity.
He criticised a social media post by Katie Miller, wife of Trump aide Stephen Miller, which depicted Greenland in US flag colours alongside the word “SOON”, saying such gestures disregarded Greenland’s rights and status.
“Relations between nations and peoples are built on mutual respect and international law, not symbolic gestures,” Nielsen said, while emphasising that there was no cause for panic.
“We are not in a situation where we think there could be a takeover overnight. That is why we are insisting on good cooperation,” he added.
Polish Prime Minister Tusk said Denmark could rely on European unity, warning that NATO would lose its meaning if member states threatened or attacked one another.
The United States already maintains a significant military presence at the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland under a 1951 defence agreement, supporting missile warning, missile defence and space surveillance operations for both Washington and NATO.
The dispute has reignited broader debate over NATO’s role in Arctic security, with European leaders reiterating that borders are non-negotiable and that Greenland’s future rests solely with its people.
Germany has meanwhile deployed the frigate Sachsen to the North Sea, Baltic Sea and North Atlantic as part of NATO missions aimed at safeguarding northern waters.
