The U.S. military intervention in Venezuela has once again stirred concerns about Donald Trump's plans for Greenland, leading European leaders to reaffirm their support for Denmark.
Foreign news agencies reported that on Tuesday, 6 Jan 2026 GMT+7, several European leaders emphasized their support for Denmark after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his intention to make Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, a U.S. territory.
Leaders from France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark stated that sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-violation of borders are "universal principles, and we will not cease to defend them."
The U.S. military's attack on Venezuela and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife at their residence in Caracas last Saturday have raised concerns about Trump's future decisions regarding Greenland, as he has clearly expressed since his first term as president his interest in the territory.
Trump stated that Greenland, the world's largest island, is strategically and economically important to the U.S. due to its vast untapped rare mineral resources and its potential as a key factor when Arctic ice melts, opening new shipping routes.
Moreover, Greenland lies on the shortest missile trajectory between Russia and the U.S., and Washington already maintains a military base on the island.
On Sunday, amid tensions over Venezuela, Trump jokingly said, "We'll worry about Greenland in about two months," sparking renewed concern about his next moves, as he has never ruled out using military force to seize Greenland.
These concerns led European leaders to issue a joint statement on Tuesday saying, "Security in the Arctic remains a top priority for Europe and is crucial to international and transatlantic security."
"NATO has clearly stated that the Arctic region is among its top priorities, and European allies are stepping up their efforts," the statement said. "We and many other allies have increased engagement, activities, and investments to secure the Arctic and deter adversaries."
They also emphasized that Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO, "so Arctic security must be achieved through cooperation, coordinated with NATO allies including the U.S., upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-violation of borders."
"These are universal principles, and we will not cease to defend them."
The statement was signed by UK 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.
The European leaders also stressed that the U.S. is an important ally in this effort. "Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland, so it is a matter for Denmark and Greenland, and only they have the right to decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland," the European leaders concluded.
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Source:cna