European leaders push back over Trump’s renewed Greenland interest

European leaders on Tuesday issued a joint statement to push back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland, saying security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively.

“The Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – is part of NATO,” the statement said, according to a letter published by Denmark’s Prime Minister’s Office on X.

“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. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them,” they continued.

“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

The letter was signed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as the leaders of Italy, Spain, and Poland.

The coordinated message, which also described the U.S. as “an essential partner” in the push for Arctic security, comes as Trump once again sets his sights on the vast, mineral-rich and sparsely populated territory.

The U.S. president, who has long advocated for control over the self-governing Danish territory, told NBC News on Monday that he was “very serious” with his intent to acquire Greenland. Trump also said he had “no timeline” for doing so, however.

Alarm bells have been ringing in Denmark, which is responsible for the defense of Greenland, given that Trump’s remarks follow Washington’s major military operation in Venezuela.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen welcomed the joint statement from European leaders and urged the U.S. “to seek a respectful dialogue” through the appropriate diplomatic channels.

“Our country is not something that can be annexed or taken over because you feel like it,” Nielsen said Tuesday in a Facebook post, according to a Google translation.

“This support is important in a situation where fundamental international principles are being challenged. I would like to express my deepest gratitude for this support,” he continued.

“I must again urge the United States to seek a respectful dialogue through the correct diplomatic and political channels and the use of already existing forums, building on agreements that already exist with the United States. The dialogue must be conducted with respect for the fact that Greenland’s status is rooted in international law and the principle of territorial integrity.”

Denmark’s Frederiksen had previously warned that an American takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of the NATO military alliance.

“I believe that the U.S. president should be taken seriously when he says that he wants Greenland,” Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2 on Monday, according to a CNBC translation.

“But I also want to make it clear, that if the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops. That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War,” she added.

Speaking to CNBC’s Silvia Amaro before European leaders published their joint statement, European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said the European Union stands together with Denmark over ongoing Greenland tensions.

“I agree with Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen, when she said that if things will develop up to such a case that Americans will take some actions against Greenland, it will be the end of transatlantic partnership,” Kubilius said Tuesday.

“So, that is very serious, and I hope that Americans will take also their actions in a serious way. And from that point of view really, our position is very clear,” he added.