‘We will not stop defending them': Europe rallies behind Denmark after Trump revives Greenland remarks

Europe backs Denmark on Greenland (AFP)

European leaders on Tuesday reiterated their backing for Denmark after US President Donald Trump once again hinted at taking control of Greenland, the country’s autonomous Arctic territory, according to a joint statement issued by seven European capitals .

In the statement, the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark emphasised that sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders are “universal principles, and we will not stop defending them,” amid growing unease over Trump’s remarks .

The declaration follows renewed concern in Europe after Trump’s recent comments on Greenland, which have been viewed in the context of Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela and a broader shift in US foreign policy tone .

Greenland is seen as strategically vital because of its untapped rare earth mineral deposits and its position along emerging polar shipping routes that could gain importance as Arctic ice melts. The island also lies on the shortest missile trajectory between Russia and the United States and hosts a US military base, factors that heighten its geopolitical significance .

Trump fuelled the controversy on Sunday when he joked that “we’ll worry about Greenland in about two months,” a remark that prompted the coordinated European response .

In their statement, the leaders stressed that Arctic security is a “key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security.” They noted that NATO has elevated the region’s importance and that European allies are stepping up their presence and investments to deter potential threats .

“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 leaders said .

They reaffirmed that Denmark, including Greenland, is a NATO member and insisted that Arctic security must be pursued collectively. “Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” the statement added .

The joint statement was signed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez .