August M
European leaders have closed ranks around Denmark amid growing concern that tensions over Greenland could strain Nato and challenge long-standing principles of sovereignty.
A joint statement from several European capitals underscored unease about recent signals from Washington regarding the Arctic territory’s future.
Alliance concerns
Leaders from France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark said Greenland’s status could only be decided by Denmark and Greenland themselves.
“Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations,” the statement said, according to the BBC.
The leaders stressed that Arctic security should be handled collectively by Nato allies and called for respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders under the UN Charter.
Diplomatic pressure
The show of unity followed warnings from Denmark that any attempt to annex Greenland would effectively spell the end of the Nato alliance.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to hold talks with Danish officials next week, as diplomatic efforts intensify to contain the fallout.
Both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly said the island is not for sale.
Washington’s position
The debate was reignited after US Vice-President JD Vance described Greenland as “critical” to global missile defence, arguing that its Arctic location makes it central to early-warning systems.
Speaking to Fox News, Vance accused Europe and Denmark of under-investing in the island’s security and failing to engage with US concerns.
“So you ask yourself, ‘have the Europeans, have the Danes done a proper job of securing Greenland and of making sure it can continue to serve as an anchor for world security and missile defence?’ And the answer is obviously they haven’t,” he said.
US options
The White House confirmed that US officials are “actively” discussing a possible offer to buy Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, the BBC reported.
The confirmation came a day after suggestions that military action to annex the island could also be considered, comments that drew sharp criticism in Europe.
US President Donald Trump previously floated the idea of purchasing Greenland during his first term, only to be rebuffed.
Strategic backdrop
Despite being sparsely populated, Greenland’s position between North America and the Arctic gives it strategic importance for monitoring missile launches and naval activity.
The US already operates the Pituffik military base in north-west Greenland, with more than 100 personnel stationed there, and retains the right under existing agreements to deploy additional forces.
Interest in Greenland has also increased due to its mineral resources, which are becoming more accessible as climate change reduces ice cover.
Sources: BBC
