Following Trump's regime overthrow in Venezuela using military force and restating claim on Greenland over national security grounds, EU leaders have come out in the open with a united stance against Trump.
Major European powers have issued a unified rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed efforts to annex Greenland with the EU leaders standing united against Trump. This collective stand followed recent U.S. military action in Venezuela and provocative statements from the Trump administration suggesting a similar "strategic need" for the Arctic island.
A. The European Joint Statement:
On January 6, 2026, leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain joined Denmark in a formal joint statement. Key declarations included:
1. Sovereignty: Greenland belongs solely to its people and the Kingdom of Denmark.
2. Rejection of Annexation: The leaders stated that no outside power can decide Greenland's future, firmly dismissing Trump's claims of U.S. "need" for the territory.
3. NATO Solidarity: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that Denmark could count on the "solidarity of all of Europe" and warned that threats between NATO members would destroy the alliance.
B. Catalysts for the 2026 Crisis
1. Trump's "20-Day" Remark: On Sunday, January 4, 2026, Trump stated the U.S. "needs Greenland" for national security and suggested a revisit of the issue in 20 days, causing widespread alarm.
2. Venezuela Parallel: The weekend U.S. military operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro led European leaders to fear that Trump might use a similar unilateral force against Greenland.
3. Special Envoy Appointment: Last month, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland to "lead the charge" for U.S. control.
C. Regional & International Reactions
1. Denmark: Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a U.S. attack on a NATO ally would spell the "end of the NATO alliance".
2. Greenland: Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected annexation "fantasies," stating Greenland is a democracy, not a territory up for sale.
3. NATO: Secretary General Mark Rutte has suggested deploying NATO troops to the Arctic to "defang" the threat and secure the region collectively rather than unilaterally.
4. European Commission: President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed "full solidarity" with Denmark, noting that territorial integrity is a fundamental principle of international law.
