Greenland welcomes European solidarity amid Trump's threats

Greenland's prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on Tuesday welcomed expressions of support from European leaders after President Donald Trump again underlined that the United States was serious about acquiring the self-governing Danish territory.

The dispute has widened into a broader NATO debate on Arctic security, with European leaders stressing borders are not negotiable.

Nielsen reiterated that Greenland was not for sale and that only Greenlanders could decide its future after Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain joined Denmark in issuing a joint statement of solidarity with the Arctic island.

Writing on social media, he said the support from allies was important at a time when fundamental international principles were being challenged, adding that backing from NATO partners was both important and unequivocal.

He said the show of solidarity was "a clear signal that territorial integrity, sovereignty and international rules of play continue to apply and are respected."

"Once again, I urge the United States to seek respectful dialogue through the correct diplomatic and political channels and utilizing pre-existing forums that are based on agreements already in place with the United States. The dialogue must take place with respect to the fact that Greenland's status is rooted in international law and the principle of territorial integrity."

Trump has revived long-standing interest in Greenland amid heightened geopolitical tensions, including a recent US military intervention in Venezuela. The Arctic territory is seen as strategically important due to its location, untapped rare earth resources, and the opening of new shipping routes as polar ice melts.

The United States already operates a military base on the island, which has a population of about 57,000.

Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain joined Denmark in pledging to defend the "universal principles" of "sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders." In a joint statement, the leaders said Arctic security was "a key priority" for Europe and "critical" for international and transatlantic security.

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The statement said Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO and urged a collective approach to polar security alongside the United States.

It was signed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The leaders described the United States as "an essential partner in this endeavor." They added: "Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

Amid the dispute, Germany has deployed the frigate Sachsen to a NATO mission in the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and North Atlantic, where it will join the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 as part of ongoing allied security operations in northern waters.