European Council President Antonio Costa has reaffirmed the European Union’s support for Greenland and Denmark, emphasizing that the EU will not tolerate violations of international law anywhere in the world.
Speaking as Cyprus assumed the EU’s rotating presidency, Costa stated, “Let me be clear: Greenland belongs to its people. No decision can be made about Denmark or Greenland without Denmark, or without Greenland.”
Costa added that the island and Denmark have “the full support and solidarity of the European Union.” He warned that the EU cannot accept violations of international law, citing recent tensions in Cyprus, Latin America, Greenland, Ukraine, and Gaza.
The remarks come after US President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed interest in taking control of Greenland, citing the island’s strategic military importance and criticizing Denmark for not adequately protecting it.
Meanwhile, according to news reports six major European governments have issued a joint declaration supporting Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland following renewed assertions by the United States about gaining control of the Arctic territory.
In a statement released Tuesday, leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark affirmed that “Greenland belongs to its people,” and that only Denmark and Greenland have the right to decide on matters concerning the island’s status. They underscored that the Arctic region’s security should be pursued collectively through NATO allies, including the United States.
The statement stressed that Greenland, a semi autonomous part of the Danish kingdom, must remain under the authority of its own residents and the Danish state, and that any changes to its status must respect international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The diplomatic pushback comes after US President Donald Trump reiterated that the United States “needs” Greenland for security purposes and has not ruled out various means to pursue influence over the territory. Reports indicate the White House is considering a range of options — including potential use of military force — to secure Greenland as part of broader Arctic strategy, prompting alarm among European capitals.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any attempt by the US to seize Greenland by force would undermine the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and could spell the end of the alliance, which is founded on collective defense among member states.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen welcomed the joint European statement and called for “respectful dialogue” that honors the island’s legal status and the will of its people.
While the United States already maintains a strategic military presence in Greenland under long standing agreements, European leaders reiterated that Arctic security must be pursued collaboratively, and not through unilateral actions that threaten allied relations.
