Donald Trump has threatened to seize Greenland on a number of occasions.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other European leaders have defied US President Donald Trump over his plans to seize Greenland.
They have published a joint statement today (Tuesday, January 6) after President Trump said the United States “need Greenland.”
The statement, also co-signed by leaders in France, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark, stated “it is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland”.
The statement, published on X [Twitter] by the official account of Denmark’s Prime Minister’s Office, read: “NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.
European leaders have issued a statement about Greenland. (Image: Getty)
“The Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – is part of NATO. 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. The United States is an essential partner in this endeavour, as a NATO ally and through the defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951. Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”
The statement was signed by President Macron of France, Chancellor Merz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Tusk of Poland, Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain, Prime Minister Starmer of the United Kingdom, and Prime Minister Frederiksen of Denmark on Greenland.
Trump has recently expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, citing national security concerns and the presence of Russian and Chinese activity, as well as the island’s strategic location and rare earth minerals. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen rejected the idea as a “fantasy,” insisting any discussions must respect international law.
Asked about the US president’s continued insistence that his country’s security requires annexing the Danish territory, Wes Streeting told Sky News: “The UK and Nato members are doubling down on support for Greenland, their right to self-determination, their place as part of the Kingdom of Denmark and the role that they are already playing as part of the Nato alliance. The good news for President Trump is that Greenland is already part of the team and is playing its part in defending our national security as the UK and our collective security.”
Yesterday, Keir Starmer said he “stands” with Denmark after Donald Trump threatened to annex Greenland.
The Prime Minister added that his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen was “right” to refuse the US president any claim to the territory.
