Denmark Warns "Invasion Means the End of NATO" Over Trump's Greenland Ambitions

Tensions are rising as U.S. President Donald Trump, following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, has revealed territorial ambitions toward Greenland, a territory of Denmark. Denmark has pushed back, warning of "the end of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)," while the European Union (EU) and European countries have expressed solidarity with Denmark.

On January 5 (local time), Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated in an interview with Denmark's TV2, "If the United States decides to launch a military attack against another NATO member, everything, including NATO itself, will come to a halt, and the security framework established since World War II will collapse. I want to make that absolutely clear."

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Prime Minister Frederiksen reiterated in an interview with Denmark's DR, "It is unacceptable to arbitrarily occupy any part of another country's territory," adding, "If the United States attacks another NATO member, everything will stop."

She emphasized, "From the very beginning, Denmark has made its position clear. Greenland has repeatedly stated that it does not wish to be incorporated into the United States," and added, "We will do our utmost to fight for the fundamental democratic values and the international community we have built."

These remarks came after Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Prime Minister of Greenland, urged President Trump to abandon his delusions of annexing Greenland, posting on Facebook the previous night, "Enough is enough."

However, President Trump dismissed such opposition, stating aboard Air Force One that evening, "From a national security perspective, we need Greenland, and the EU should allow us to have it."

He further claimed, "Greenland is covered everywhere with Russian and Chinese ships, and Denmark cannot handle this," adding, "We will address the Greenland issue in about two months. Let's talk about Greenland in 20 days."

CNN reported that the Trump administration's renewed ambitions toward Greenland are unsettling America's traditional European allies.

Across Europe, including among NATO allies, statements supporting Denmark and Greenland and urging respect for territorial sovereignty continued. Paola Pinho, spokesperson for the European Commission, emphasized the distinction from Venezuela, saying, "Greenland is an ally of the United States and falls under the NATO alliance," and added, "We fully support Greenland and believe what happened in Venezuela cannot be compared in any way."

Neighboring Nordic countries such as Sweden, Norway, and Finland also expressed support for Denmark and Greenland. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated, "Only Denmark and Greenland have the right to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," adding, "Sweden fully supports our neighbor Denmark."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would stand with Denmark in defending Greenland, emphasizing that no one else can decide Greenland's future.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that, if necessary, measures to strengthen Greenland's protection at the NATO level could be discussed.

Pascal Confavreux, spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed solidarity with Denmark and Greenland in an interview with local broadcaster TF1, saying, "Borders cannot be changed by force."