What's happened
European leaders, including Denmark, France, and the UK, reaffirm Greenland's independence amid US interest. The US suggests Greenland should join its security plans, but European nations emphasize its sovereignty and NATO membership. The dispute follows recent US comments and military activity in Venezuela.
What's behind the headline?
The current dispute over Greenland underscores the shifting balance of Arctic power. The US's renewed interest, driven by strategic and mineral wealth, threatens NATO unity and Greenland's sovereignty. European leaders' firm stance aims to deter US unilateral actions that could fracture collective defense. This standoff signals a broader contest for influence in the Arctic, with implications for global security. The US's aggressive posture risks escalating tensions, while European unity on Greenland's independence aims to preserve NATO cohesion and regional stability. The next steps will likely involve increased diplomatic pressure and military presence, with the potential for escalation if US interests persist.
What the papers say
The Mirror reports that UK Prime Minister Starmer acted as an intermediary, speaking with US President Trump and European leaders to de-escalate tensions, emphasizing NATO's role in Arctic security. The Independent highlights that European leaders, including France and the UK, reaffirmed Greenland's sovereignty, warning that US attempts to take control could end NATO. Politico notes that the US continues to push for Greenland's inclusion in its security plans, despite strong opposition from Denmark and European allies. All sources agree that Greenland's strategic importance and sovereignty are at the heart of this dispute, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to prevent escalation.
How we got here
The controversy began when US President Trump expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, which was met with firm rejection from Danish and European leaders. NATO and European nations emphasized Greenland's sovereignty and its strategic importance in the Arctic, amid rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over Russian aggression in the region.
Go deeper
Common question
-
Why Did the US Declare Europe an Adversary in 2025?
In late 2025, the US officially labeled Europe as an adversary in its National Security Strategy. This shift has raised many questions about the changing dynamics of transatlantic relations, US policies towards Europe, and what this means for the future of Western alliances. Below, we explore the reasons behind this bold move and what it signals for both regions.
More on these topics
-
Mette Frederiksen (Danish: [ˈmetə ˈfʁeðˀəʁeksn̩] ; born 19 November 1977) is a Danish politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Denmark since 2019 and the Leader of the Social Democrats since 2015. She is the second woman to hold either
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
Greenland is the world's largest island, located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
-
Denmark, officially the Kingdom of Denmark, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. Denmark proper, which is the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries, consists of a peninsula, Jutland, and an archipelago of 443 named islands, with the largest being
-
Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.
-
Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.