European leaders have issued a unified response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, calling the remarks a threat to sovereignty and international norms. The controversy erupted after Trump stated in a recent interview with The Atlantic that Greenland is “absolutely” critical to U.S. defense, sparking swift condemnation across Europe.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned the proposal, emphasizing that Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, is not for sale. “The United States has no right to annex Greenland,” she declared, warning that such actions could destabilize NATO’s collective security framework. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen echoed her stance, labeling the rhetoric “completely and utterly unacceptable.”
Nordic leaders were among the first to rally behind Denmark. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stressed respect for sovereignty, while Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reaffirmed that decisions about Greenland rest solely with its people and Denmark. Frederiksen later warned that a U.S. military intervention would “effectively end NATO,” citing the alliance’s foundational principles.
Support extended beyond Scandinavia. Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger denounced “annexation fantasies,” and French officials reiterated that borders “cannot be changed by force.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul highlighted Denmark’s NATO membership, underscoring the alliance’s mutual defense obligations. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged the EU to safeguard Greenland’s status under the Danish Crown.
The European Commission reinforced its commitment to territorial integrity, with spokesperson Anita Hipper stating the bloc will uphold “the principles of national sovereignty and the UN Charter.” The collective response underscores growing European concerns over shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Arctic and transatlantic relations.
