Greenland’s PM pushes back at Trump as NATO allies rally against US takeover talk

Greenland’s prime minister has firmly rejected comparisons with Venezuela and dismissed any notion of a rapid US takeover, responding directly to renewed remarks by Donald Trump about acquiring the Arctic territory. As Greenland and Denmark pushed back against what Copenhagen called “threats,” a growing number of European and NATO allies publicly closed ranks, warning that sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders are non-negotiable principles—and that Greenland’s future can only be decided by its own people.

Greenland premier says territory not at point of ‘overnight takeover’ like Venezuela

According to Anadolu, Greenland is not in a situation where an overnight takeover could occur, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Monday, rejecting comparisons with Venezuela and calling for direct communication rather than exchanges through the media.

“Our country is not the right one to compare with Venezuela. We have a country that is democratic. It has been so for many, many years,” Nielsen said at a press briefing.

Addressing concerns following recent US statements, Nielsen stressed there was no need to panic.

“The situation is not such that the United States can take over Greenland. That is not the situation. We should therefore not panic. We should restore the good cooperation we have had,” he said.

Nielsen said Greenland was in a special situation and acknowledged public concern. “I can fully understand that the population looks to Naalakkersuisut and is worried,” he said, referring to the territory’s government.

He also rejected speculation about military scenarios by saying: “First of all, I would like to say that I do not think it is appropriate to talk about possible or potential military operations in this country.”

“I would like to repeat that we are not in a situation where we think that there could be a takeover of the country overnight,” he added.

The premier said the government would sharpen its tone if discussions continued in their current form as “we are not satisfied with the situation we are in.”

Criticizing indirect communication, Nielsen said dialogue should not take place through the media. “Now it must be enough that communication takes place through the media and via various roundabout channels. That is not respectful,” he said.

Calling for unity, Nielsen urged cohesion within Greenland and with allied countries.

“We must show that we stand together in society. The countries we are allied with, we must also show our unity,” he said, adding that Greenland‘s government did “all the things that we can do.”

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to take control of Greenland, a self-governing territory within Denmark, and has not ruled out doing so with military force.

A day after the US military operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolas Maduro, Trump on Sunday renewed his calls for an American takeover of Greenland for the sake of US security interests.​​​​​​

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged Trump to “stop the threats.”

Several European countries, as well as the EU, voiced strong support for Denmark and Greenland on Monday, rejecting any suggestion that the island’s future could be decided by outside powers and stressing respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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European countries rally behind Denmark after Trump’s remarks about needing Greenland

Several European countries expressed strong support Monday for Denmark and Greenland, rejecting any suggestion that the island nation’s future could be decided by outside powers and stressing respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity following remarks by US President Donald Trump.

Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to take control of Greenland, an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of Denmark, and has not ruled out doing so with military force.

A day after a US military operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolas Maduro, Trump on Sunday renewed his call for an American takeover of Greenland for the sake of US security interests.​​​​​​ Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged Trump to “stop the threats.”

Nordic and Baltic leaders were among the first to respond.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a post on the US social media company X’s platform that “it is only Denmark and Greenland that have the right to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” adding that Sweden “fully stands behind” Denmark.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway stands “fully and completely” behind Denmark, while Finnish President Alexander Stubb said “no one decides for Greenland and Denmark but Greenland and Denmark themselves.”

Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir conveyed a similar message, saying “nothing about Greenland without Greenland.”

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics on X described Denmark as a “strong democracy” and “trusted” NATO ally, noting “Greenland is an integral part of (the) Kingdom of Denmark. Understanding legitimate security needs of (the) US, I believe those can be addressed in a direct dialogue between Denmark and (the) US, and within the collective defense framework.”

Meanwhile, Estonian lawmaker Marko Mihkelson, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Estonian Parliament, said only Greenland and Denmark can decide their future and security.

Germany also issued a warning, with deputy government spokesman Sebastian Hille saying that Greenland belongs to Denmark and borders “must not be moved by force.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity “non-negotiable” while pledging solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Greenland’s future must be decided solely by Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark, stressing Denmark’s role as a close European and NATO ally.

The European Union also reiterated its support. European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper told reporters that the bloc would continue to uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity, while another spokesperson, Paula Pinho, underlined that Greenland is a NATO ally and not comparable to other recent US actions abroad.

“That is a big, big difference. So we therefore completely stand by Greenland, and in no way do we see a possible comparison with what happened,” she said, referring to recent US military action in Venezuela.

France expressed solidarity as well, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux saying “there can be no change of borders by force.”

In a post on X, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said “threats and annexation fantasies” toward Greenland were “unacceptable,” stressing “full solidarity” with its people.

6 NATO countries join Denmark’s call, stressing ‘Greenland belongs to its people’

Denmark, along with six NATO countries, issued a joint statement on Greenland, calling for respect for “sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders” after renewed calls from the US for an American takeover of Greenland.

“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the UK said in the statement.

The statement recounted that Arctic security remains a “key priority for Europe,” reaffirming that many European allies increased their presence, activities, and investments to keep the region safe.

“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,” leaders underscored.

They also noted that the US 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 part of NATO, Arctic safety must be ensured with allies: German chancellor

According to Anadolu, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday emphasized that Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe, underlining that Greenland, as part of Denmark, is a NATO member.

“Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe,” Merz wrote on US social media platform X, highlighting that Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO.

“Security in the Arctic must be ensured collectively, in conjunction with allies including the United States,” he added, noting that Greenland belongs to its people.

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