COPENHAGEN/PARIS — In a historic display of unity, the leaders of Europe’s major powers have issued a formal joint statement condemning recent threats from Washington regarding the annexation of Greenland. The document, released on January 6, 2026, serves as a direct diplomatic "red line" to the Trump administration following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela.
The Joint Declaration
The statement was signed by the heads of state of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Sovereignty: "Greenland belongs to its people.
4 It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."The Inviolability of Borders: The leaders emphasized that the UN Charter's principles of territorial integrity are "universal" and that they will "not stop defending them."
NATO Integrity: The statement pointedly noted that as a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland is a protected NATO territory.
"NATO Would Lose Its Meaning"
While the document maintains a formal tone, individual leaders have been more blunt. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that the alliance itself is at risk:
"No member should attack or threaten another member... Otherwise, NATO would lose its meaning if conflict or mutual conflicts occurred within the alliance."
The coalition appears specifically triggered by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who stated on CNN that the U.S. is the "power of NATO" and that Greenland "should be part of the United States" for the sake of Arctic security.
Military and Strategic Context
To counter U.S. claims that Denmark cannot defend the region, the joint statement highlighted that European allies are "stepping up" with increased investments and a greater military presence in the Arctic to "deter adversaries."
| Feature | European Position | U.S. Administration Position |
| Status | Self-governing Danish territory | "Vital national security asset" |
| Governance | Determined by Nuuk and Copenhagen | "Real world is governed by force" |
| Defense | Collective NATO responsibility | U.S. must take control to "secure" it |
The crisis comes as Greenland’s mineral wealth and strategic location become central to global trade routes. European leaders have signaled that while the U.S. remains an "essential partner," that partnership is contingent on respecting the sovereign borders of fellow democratic nations.
