Trump's Overt Greenland Ambitions Shake Alliance... Europe's Outrage Grows as NATO Remains Silent

Unusual Silence from Secretary General Rutte
Calls for NATO to Initiate Discussions

U.S. President Donald Trump has been shaking the alliance by expressing territorial ambitions, even mentioning the possibility of military action in Greenland, a territory of Denmark, a NATO ally, from the beginning of the year. However, the Financial Times (FT) reported on the 11th (local time) that while Europe is outraged, NATO has not responded to the United States.

President Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to take control of Greenland, but NATO has not taken any action, instead issuing only official statements emphasizing the territorial sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland. This stands in contrast to the active responses of NATO's major European member states, which have expressed solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.

Greenland. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Mark Rutte, the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and current NATO Secretary General, has maintained a friendly relationship with President Trump and has played a role in persuading Trump on key issues such as support for Ukraine, even when their views have diverged. It is unusual for him to remain silent on such a critical security matter affecting NATO member states.

Regarding the current Greenland situation, Secretary General Rutte's only official comment was a roughly 60-second response to a question from CNN. He merely agreed with President Trump's assessment that Russian and Chinese activities are increasing around Greenland and stated that there is a need to strengthen security.

An official from the European Union (EU) commented, "I never expected Secretary General Rutte, who was considered someone Europe could rely on to communicate with President Trump, to remain this quiet."

A NATO diplomat pointed out, "It is, of course, not easy to discuss such issues within NATO," but also noted, "If we don't even discuss it, it means we all agree with what is happening now."

The FT noted that, compared to the EU leadership, which could not ignore President Trump's stance due to the Ukraine ceasefire negotiations but still broke its silence to speak out in support of Greenland, Secretary General Rutte's response has been surprising.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, recently commented on the Greenland issue, stating, "Law is stronger than force," and urged the United States to respect territorial sovereignty in accordance with international law. Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, indirectly criticized President Trump's territorial ambitions by saying, "The issue of Denmark and Greenland cannot be decided without the parties involved."

European officials acknowledge that responses are inevitably limited, given the United States' stature within NATO, but they are concerned that if NATO continues to remain silent, it could encourage President Trump's unchecked actions toward allies and further exploit Europe's security dependence on the United States.

Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, had refrained from making statements on Greenland-related issues until last year to avoid provoking President Trump. However, she recently took a firm stance, declaring, "If the United States militarily attacks another NATO country, it will be the 'end' of NATO." European officials told the FT that this remark reflects her frustration with NATO's silence.

Calls for NATO to take a more active response to resolve the situation are growing.

Danish politicians have urged NATO to play a stronger role in the dispute with the United States. Carsten Bach, a member of the center-right Liberal Alliance, said, "The United States, as a NATO member, perceives a threat in the Arctic, but that threat may not be as clear to the other member states. Therefore, NATO must play an important role in this conflict."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also urged at a New Year's press conference on the 9th, "Since all the parties involved are NATO allies, NATO must begin serious discussions to reduce or ease the pressure surrounding this issue."

Allison Hart, NATO spokesperson, responded to the FT's inquiry about NATO's position by saying, "While we will not disclose the details of diplomatic discussions, (Secretary General) Rutte, as always, is working closely with leaders and senior officials on both sides of the Atlantic."