European countries issue joint statement regarding Trump's claims on Greenland
Leaders of key European countries, together with Denmark, have expressed a joint position on the future of Greenland following renewed claims on the island by US President Donald Trump.
The European statement on Greenland was joined by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
They said that security in the Arctic remains a priority issue for Europe.
"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," the statement reads.
Joint Statement on Greenlandhttps://t.co/ORMWHpKEJt pic.twitter.com/wu1SdF1INN
– Statsministeriet (@Statsmin) January 6, 2026
The leaders stressed that security in the region must be ensured through collective efforts, including within NATO, which also includes 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," it adds.
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel issued a separate statement expressing support for Denmark amid Trump's claims.
In recent interviews following the US operation in Venezuela, Trump again stated his desire to control Greenland.
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland urged Trump to stop pressure and threats.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that a forceful annexation of Greenland by the United States, if it were to happen, would mean the end of NATO.