In a dramatic escalation of transatlantic tensions, leaders from eight European nations issued a forceful rebuke to the United States on Tuesday, defending Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland. This came just hours after a senior aide to former President Donald Trump audaciously claimed the US had a "right" to the vast Arctic territory, pushing the 75-year-old NATO alliance to a dangerous crossroads.
A Rare European Stand Against US Claims
The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Denmark, and the United Kingdom took the unusual step of releasing a joint statement. They firmly declared that Greenland belongs to its people and that only Denmark and Greenland can decide their future. "Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the statement read, directly countering the position emerging from Washington.
The European pushback was triggered by stunning remarks from Stephen Miller, the former White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Trump's immigration czar. During a CNN interview, Miller openly questioned Denmark's authority over Greenland. He asserted it was the formal stance of the Trump administration that the long-recognized Danish realm should become part of the United States.
"By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim?" Miller challenged. He argued that as the dominant power in NATO, the US needed Greenland to secure the Arctic and protect alliance interests. When pressed on whether a military option was possible, Miller dismissed the idea, scoffing at Greenland's tiny population of roughly 30,000. "We wouldn't need military action…nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over the future of Greenland," he said.
NATO's Unity Tested Over Arctic Sovereignty
While the collective European statement challenged the US claim, it carefully avoided aggressive language. Instead, it reminded Washington of mutual NATO obligations, emphasizing that Arctic security must be achieved collectively by upholding UN Charter principles like sovereignty and territorial integrity. "These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them," the statement affirmed.
It highlighted that the Kingdom of Denmark—including Greenland—is part of NATO, and that European allies are increasing their presence in the region. However, individual European leaders have been far blunter in their warnings. Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, stated that any US invasion of Greenland would mean the end of NATO. Germany's foreign policy expert, Johann Wadephul, warned that a US seizure of Greenland would mean war with Europe, as NATO members would be obligated to defend Denmark from an attack, even if the attacker was the United States itself.
Historical Context and a Chilling Message
Greenland, a Danish colony from 1721 until 1953, is now an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark under a arrangement known as the "Unity of the Realm." While it governs its own domestic affairs, Denmark retains control over foreign policy, defense, and monetary matters. No US administration before Trump's had ever challenged this longstanding status.
Miller's comments followed a provocative social media post by his wife, a former White House staffer, which showed a map of Greenland in US colors with the word "Soon." This came shortly after US operations in Venezuela targeting President Nicolas Maduro. Analysts see Miller's cold assertion of US "right" over Greenland as answering a terrifying question now circulating in global capitals: Who's next? The episode has laid bare deep fissures within the Western alliance, centering on the strategic and resource-rich Arctic, and poses one of the most significant tests for NATO's future cohesion.
