Major European allies issued a firm warning to the United States on Tuesday, vowing they would continue to defend the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to President Donald Trump’s repeated threats toward Greenland, a Danish territory.
Trump and members of his inner circle have increasingly floated the idea of taking control of Greenland, a sparsely populated Arctic island prized for its strategic location and mineral resources. The rhetoric has alarmed European capitals, particularly after a recent U.S. military action against Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro—an operation the United Nations said violated international law.
European leaders were meeting in Paris alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. representatives including Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to a White House official. The talks form part of an intensified diplomatic push to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
However, the discussions have been overshadowed by Washington’s aggressive posture toward Greenland and Venezuela, raising unease among NATO allies—many of whom Trump has previously suggested the United States could confront despite alliance commitments.
In a joint statement, leaders from France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark stressed that Greenland is part of NATO through Denmark and that Arctic security must be pursued collectively. They reaffirmed their commitment to the U.N. Charter, emphasizing that sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolable borders are non-negotiable principles.
While underscoring that the United States remains a crucial NATO partner, the statement made clear that Greenland’s future rests solely with its people and the Kingdom of Denmark. It also referenced a longstanding 1951 defense agreement that already allows the U.S. to operate military bases on the island.
The statement drew rare bipartisan criticism within the United States. Outgoing Republican Congressman Don Bacon called the situation “embarrassing,” warning that antagonizing allies only weakens trust and benefits geopolitical rivals like Russia and China.
At the heart of the Paris talks is Ukraine’s push for concrete security guarantees, potentially involving a multinational force to deter future Russian aggression. French President Emmanuel Macron said participating countries were prepared to make tangible commitments as part of any eventual peace agreement.
Ukraine and its European allies have consistently argued that such guarantees must be backed by U.S. military power. Yet Trump has suggested otherwise, stating publicly that he is “very serious” about taking control of Greenland, a stance echoed by senior aides.
Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy, went further by questioning Denmark’s authority over the island and asserting that Greenland should fall under U.S. control due to its strategic importance. His remarks intensified fears of an unprecedented escalation.
Analysts warn that any U.S. military move against Greenland—a NATO member territory—would effectively shatter the alliance. Denmark has long stood alongside Washington in past conflicts, including Iraq and Afghanistan, where Danish troops fought and died.
Experts say such an action would likely mark the collapse of NATO and a historic low point in transatlantic relations. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed that concern, stating that a military attack on a NATO ally would bring all cooperation to a halt.
Even without the Greenland crisis, negotiators face an uphill battle in reconciling Russia’s rigid demands with Ukraine and Europe’s deep mistrust of President Vladimir Putin’s intentions. Zelenskyy has said a peace deal is close but warned that the final hurdles remain the most difficult, particularly as Moscow shows little willingness to accept meaningful security guarantees.