'We'll Not Stop Defending Them': 7 European Leaders React To Trump's Greenland Takeover Threat

Last Updated:January 06, 2026, 19:14 IST

The leaders underlined that Arctic security is a "key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security."

The European leaders underlined their support for Denmark. (AFP photo)

European leaders on Tuesday reaffirmed their support for Denmark after US President Donald Trump again hinted at taking control of Greenland, Denmark’s autonomous Arctic territory.

In a joint statement, the leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark stressed that sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders are “universal principles, and we will not stop defending them".

The statement comes amid concerns that Trump’s recent comments on Greenland, coupled with Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela.

Greenland holds untapped rare earth deposits and sits on key polar routes that could become strategically important as ice melts. It also lies on the shortest missile route between Russia and the United States and hosts a US military base.

Trump had joked on Sunday that “we’ll worry about Greenland in about two months", prompting the European response.

The leaders underlined that Arctic security is a “key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security."

They said NATO has made the region a priority, and European allies are increasing 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 part of NATO and that security in the Arctic must be achieved 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 Sanchez.

(With inputs from AFP)

News world 'We Will Not Stop Defending Them': Europe Warns US After Trump's Greenland Takeover Threat

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