Europe Supports Greenland Amid Renewed Trump Takeover Threats

European officials have rallied to support Greenland following US President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in the self-governing island, coinciding with his actions in Venezuela.

In a show of solidarity, major European powers quickly voiced their backing for Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom. This came shortly after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly stated that Trump has no authority to annex Greenland.

“I stand with her, and she’s right about the future of Greenland,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Sky News on Monday, emphasizing that the future of Greenland should be determined by Denmark and its people.

The reactions arise amid growing speculation that the US might apply a similar strategy in Greenland as it did in Venezuela. Trump himself hinted at this connection on Sunday, suggesting that Greenland could be another target following his efforts to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

France quickly reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland’s sovereignty. “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the Danes, and it is up to them to decide what to do with it,” stated French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux during an interview with TF1. “Borders cannot be changed by force.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul echoed this sentiment, asserting that “Greenland would, in principle, also be subject to NATO defense.”

The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, sought to downplay any parallels between Trump’s actions in Venezuela and his interest in Greenland. “Greenland is an ally to the US and is also covered by the NATO alliance, and that is a big difference,” remarked Paula Pinho, the commission’s chief spokesperson. “We therefore completely stand by Greenland and in no way do we see a possible comparison with what happened.”

However, the US is effectively the leader of the NATO alliance. If Trump were to take military action against Greenland, it would create an unprecedented scenario where one NATO member acts against an ally.

Pinho emphasized that there is no justification for the US to take control of Greenland, asserting that the island should determine its own future. She also pointed out that Maduro lacks the democratic legitimacy of an elected leader.

“Nicolás Maduro lacked the legitimacy of a democratically elected leader, and therefore the events over the weekend provide the opportunity for a democratic transition led by the Venezuelan people,” she stated.

Pinho supported comments from Greenland’s premier, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who called Trump’s threats “completely unacceptable,” asserting that “enough is enough.”

“Our country is not an object in great-power rhetoric,” Nielsen stated on LinkedIn. “We are a people. A country. A democracy. That must be respected — especially by close and loyal friends.”

Nielsen also dismissed comparisons between Greenland and Venezuela. “When the US president talks about ‘needing Greenland’ and links us with Venezuela and military intervention, it is not just wrong; it is disrespectful,” he remarked.

Trump has long maintained that US control over Greenland is essential for national security. However, his recent actions regarding Venezuela have raised alarms in Copenhagen, prompting fears that Greenland may soon be in his sights.

“We need Greenland from a national security situation,” Trump stated aboard Air Force One, adding that “Denmark is not going to be able to do it.” He even suggested a vague timeline for discussions, saying, “We’ll worry about Greenland in about two months. Let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days.”

Frederiksen urged Trump to cease his threats regarding Greenland, highlighting that the island is protected under NATO’s collective defense guarantee and that the US already has significant military access through existing agreements.

Photograph: Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen; Photo credit: Omer Messinger/Getty Images

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics
Europe

European officials have rallied to support Greenland following US President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in the self-governing island, coinciding with his actions in Venezuela.

In a show of solidarity, major European powers quickly voiced their backing for Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom. This came shortly after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly stated that Trump has no authority to annex Greenland.

“I stand with her, and she’s right about the future of Greenland,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Sky News on Monday, emphasizing that the future of Greenland should be determined by Denmark and its people.

The reactions arise amid growing speculation that the US might apply a similar strategy in Greenland as it did in Venezuela. Trump himself hinted at this connection on Sunday, suggesting that Greenland could be another target following his efforts to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

France quickly reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland’s sovereignty. “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the Danes, and it is up to them to decide what to do with it,” stated French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux during an interview with TF1. “Borders cannot be changed by force.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul echoed this sentiment, asserting that “Greenland would, in principle, also be subject to NATO defense.”

The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, sought to downplay any parallels between Trump’s actions in Venezuela and his interest in Greenland. “Greenland is an ally to the US and is also covered by the NATO alliance, and that is a big difference,” remarked Paula Pinho, the commission’s chief spokesperson. “We therefore completely stand by Greenland and in no way do we see a possible comparison with what happened.”

However, the US is effectively the leader of the NATO alliance. If Trump were to take military action against Greenland, it would create an unprecedented scenario where one NATO member acts against an ally.

Pinho emphasized that there is no justification for the US to take control of Greenland, asserting that the island should determine its own future. She also pointed out that Maduro lacks the democratic legitimacy of an elected leader.

“Nicolás Maduro lacked the legitimacy of a democratically elected leader, and therefore the events over the weekend provide the opportunity for a democratic transition led by the Venezuelan people,” she stated.

Pinho supported comments from Greenland’s premier, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who called Trump’s threats “completely unacceptable,” asserting that “enough is enough.”

“Our country is not an object in great-power rhetoric,” Nielsen stated on LinkedIn. “We are a people. A country. A democracy. That must be respected — especially by close and loyal friends.”

Nielsen also dismissed comparisons between Greenland and Venezuela. “When the US president talks about ‘needing Greenland’ and links us with Venezuela and military intervention, it is not just wrong; it is disrespectful,” he remarked.

Trump has long maintained that US control over Greenland is essential for national security. However, his recent actions regarding Venezuela have raised alarms in Copenhagen, prompting fears that Greenland may soon be in his sights.

“We need Greenland from a national security situation,” Trump stated aboard Air Force One, adding that “Denmark is not going to be able to do it.” He even suggested a vague timeline for discussions, saying, “We’ll worry about Greenland in about two months. Let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days.”

Frederiksen urged Trump to cease his threats regarding Greenland, highlighting that the island is protected under NATO’s collective defense guarantee and that the US already has significant military access through existing agreements.

Photograph: Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen; Photo credit: Omer Messinger/Getty Images

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics
Europe