The debate around the Arctic has intensified again: in the US, the Greenland issue is cited as a "priority" from the point of view of national security. According to an official statement in Washington, the idea of controlling the island is linked to deterring rivals in the Arctic, maintaining strategic balance, and strengthening the security chain.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 6, the White House noted that Donald Trump and his team are discussing "a number of options" to achieve this foreign policy goal. In particular, the use of the Armed Forces was mentioned as "one of the options that always remained at the disposal of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief." That is, it is also indicated that the matter may not be limited only to diplomacy or economic instruments.
Europe: "Greenland belongs to its people"
Following these statements, European countries began to express their positions more openly. It was previously reported that Germany and several other countries had warned the US about the potential consequences of annexation. On January 6, a sharp and clear conclusion was made in a joint statement issued on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Mers, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen:
Greenland belongs to its people. The right to make decisions on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland belongs exclusively to Denmark and Greenland.
"Line" within NATO: who will ensure security?
European leaders also emphasized the need to ensure Arctic security within NATO, through allied cooperation. In other words, the position is put forward that "a collective agreement, not individual actions, should work in this area."
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed concern that the NATO security system could be disrupted if scenarios such as a potential military operation or the annexation of Greenland occur. He emphasized that this situation would also be a serious blow to the general security architecture that has developed since the end of World War II.
Voice from Greenland: "We don't want to be American or Danish"
Against the backdrop of discussions, important ideas are coming from Greenland itself. In an interview with DW, Greenland politician Juno Bertelsen, fighting for sovereignty, spoke directly about the mood of the local population: she said that most people in Greenland "do not want to be either American or Danish."
Bertelsen also emphasized the desire for Greenland's independence, their desire to leave the current political status subordinate to the Kingdom of Denmark. That is, the main requirement here is not "to fall into someone else's hands," but to decide one's own fate.
Conclusion
The topic of Greenland is no longer just a "geography" - it's becoming a major clash point of geopolitics, security, and sovereignty. While the US increases pressure by declaring "priority," Europe is holding onto the line of "law and law," and Greenland itself is strengthening its demand for "independence." Now the biggest question is: can the parties resolve this issue through negotiation and agreement, or will the cold wind in the Arctic further cool politics?
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