A broad coalition of European leaders announced on Tuesday a firm stance of solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark, following US President Donald Trump's and controversial desire to annex Greenland . This European support underscores the principles of national sovereignty and the right to self-determination at a time of increasing geopolitical importance in the Arctic region.
Joint European statement: Sovereignty is a red line
In a coordinated diplomatic move, the leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain issued a joint statement, published by the German Chancellery, emphasizing that “Denmark and Greenland alone have the exclusive right to make decisions regarding their future.” The leaders reiterated that Denmark is not only a sovereign state, but also a strategic ally and an active member of NATO, just like the United States.
The statement read: “The Kingdom of Denmark , including Greenland, is an integral part of NATO. The security of the Arctic region must remain a shared responsibility of all NATO members, including the United States.” The leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to “the principles of the UN Charter, particularly sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders,” describing them as universal principles that they will continue to defend.
The strategic and economic importance of Greenland
The American desire to annex Greenland is not without foundation. The world's largest island enjoys a vital strategic location between North America and Europe, making it a crucial security hub, especially with the presence of the US Thule Air Base in the north. Furthermore, with the melting of Arctic ice, Greenland is emerging as a vast reservoir of untapped natural resources, including rare earth minerals, oil, and gas, placing it at the heart of international economic and geopolitical competition.
Greenland's response: A call for diplomatic dialogue
For his part, Greenland's Prime Minister, Fredrik Nielsen, expressed his deep gratitude for the European support. He wrote on his Facebook page: “At a time when the US President is making his intentions regarding Greenland clear, this unequivocal support from our NATO allies is crucial and unequivocal.”.
Nielsen concluded his remarks by calling on Washington to return to traditional diplomatic channels, saying, “I would like to reiterate my call for the United States to engage in a dialogue based on mutual respect through appropriate diplomatic and political channels, utilizing existing forums built upon previously concluded agreements.” It is worth noting that this is not the first time Washington has expressed interest in the island. President Harry Truman offered to purchase it in 1946, underscoring the continued American view of the island as a strategic asset, despite the refusal of its inhabitants and Denmark to treat it as a mere real estate commodity.
