European leaders have voiced strong support for Denmark after U.S. President Donald Trump renewed claims that the United States needs control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory governed by Copenhagen.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Monday that only Greenland and Denmark have the right to decide the territory’s future, stressing full Nordic backing for Denmark. Norway echoed that position, with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stating that Greenland is an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark and that Oslo stands in solidarity with Copenhagen.
France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Austria also weighed in, warning that international borders cannot be changed by force and cautioning against threats directed at a NATO ally. European Union officials reaffirmed their commitment to sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
The statements followed remarks made by President Trump in a telephone interview with The Atlantic on Sunday, in which he said the United States “absolutely” needs Greenland, citing national security concerns. He has previously declined to rule out the use of force to secure control of the territory.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected the idea, saying Washington has no right to annex Greenland and urging the United States to stop issuing threats against a close ally. She warned that any attack by one NATO member on another would undermine the alliance itself.
In a joint statement, several European leaders stressed that Arctic security concerns must be addressed collectively within NATO, while fully respecting international law, including the inviolability of borders.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed the show of European support and called for “respectful dialogue”, emphasising that Greenland’s status is rooted in international law and the principle of territorial integrity.
Greenland, which has a population of about 57,000, has enjoyed extensive self-rule since 1979, although defence and foreign policy remain under Danish authority. While many Greenlanders support eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls show strong opposition to becoming part of the United States.
Trump has argued that Greenland’s strategic location in the Arctic and its mineral resources are vital to U.S. security and economic interests, a position that has drawn criticism and concern across Europe.
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