Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the US needs the Danish island for defense reasons. At the end of December, he appointed Jeff Landry as the United States' special envoy for Greenland, and he wrote on social media that his task would be to “incorporate Greenland into the US.”
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What did European leaders say about Greenland?
What position did Donald Tusk take before leaving for Paris?
What did Jens-Frederik Nielsen say about Greenland?
What is the importance of Greenland in the context of NATO?
European leaders have spoken on this matter. “Together with many other allies, we have strengthened our presence, activity and investment to maintain security in the Arctic and deter potential adversaries. The Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – is part of NATO.”
The signatories of the declaration emphasized the need to respect international law. “These are universal principles and we will not stop defending them,” they wrote.
“Greenland belongs to its inhabitants. Only Denmark and Greenland have the right to decide on matters relating to Denmark and Greenland,” they stressed, among others. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Heads of government react. “Greenland is a nation, a country and a democracy”
Before Tuesday's departure to Paris, Donald Tusk commented on the confusion around Greenland. — No member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization should threaten another member. I would like it to be clear to everyone in Washington that any attempts to break up the North Atlantic Pact will not be accepted. European solidarity and respect for the integrity of European countries are fundamental issues. Denmark can count on the solidarity of all of Europe, said the Prime Minister of the Polish government.
The head of the Greenlandic government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said on Monday that Greenland is a nation, a country and a democracy, which should be respected especially by close and loyal friends. “When the president of the United States says, 'We need Greenland,' and connects us with Venezuela and [amerykańską] military intervention, it is not only inappropriate, it shows a lack of respect,” he wrote on Facebook. “We are part of NATO and we are fully aware of the strategic location of our country,” he noted.
