The statement was signed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof tweeted afterward that the Netherlands “fully supports” the statement.
The show of support for Denmark comes after Trump doubled down on his claims to the Danish-held territory following a U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
On Monday, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller questioned Copenhagen’s claim over the territory, but declined to clarify whether the United States could use force to achieve its aims. Trump has also accused Denmark of doing too little to ensure Greenland’s security. Trump said: “They added one more dog sled.”
In response, the leaders stated: “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. The Kingdom of Denmark — including Greenland — is part of NATO.”
“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” concluded the statement, which was published as some 40 leaders and top EU officials gather in Paris for talks about how to end the Ukraine war.
Fredriksen warned on Monday that a U.S. invasion of Greenland would spell the end of NATO.