European leaders rally behind Greenland following renewed interest from US President Donald Trump

Leaders from major European powers are rallying behind Greenland, saying in a joint statement that the Arctic island belongs to its people, following renewed interest by US President Donald Trump in taking over the Danish territory.

Mr Trump has in recent weeks repeated that he wants to gain control of Greenland, an idea first voiced in 2019 during his first presidency, arguing that it is vital for the US military, and that Denmark has not done enough to protect it.

A US military operation over the weekend in Venezuela that seized its leader has further rekindled concerns that Greenland might face a similar scenario. Greenland has repeatedly said it does not want to be part of the United States.

“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” said the statement by leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark.

The leaders said security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively with NATO allies, including the United States.

“NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up,” the statement said. “We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities, and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday that Denmark could count on the solidarity of all of Europe on the issue of Greenland.

“No member should attack or threaten another member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Otherwise, NATO would lose its meaning if conflict or mutual conflicts occurred within the alliance,” Mr Tusk told reporters in Warsaw.

The Netherlands also fully supports the joint statement, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X.

To fend off US criticism over Greenland’s defence capabilities, Denmark last year pledged 42 billion Danish crowns ($A9.79 billion) to boost its military presence in the Arctic.

The White House said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump is discussing options for acquiring Greenland, including potential use of the US military.

Mr Trump sees acquiring Greenland as a US national security priority necessary to “deter our adversaries in the Arctic region,” the White House said in a statement.

“The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilising the US military is always an option at the commander-in-chief’s disposal,” the White House said.

Just hours after Saturday’s Venezuela operation, Mr Miller’s wife, Katie Miller, posted a map of Greenland painted in Stars & Stripes on X, accompanied by the text “SOON”.

Greenland, the world’s largest island with a population of just 57,000 people, is not an independent member of NATO but is covered by Denmark’s membership of the Western military alliance.

The island’s strategic location between Europe and North America makes it a critical site for the US ballistic missile defence system. Its mineral wealth also aligns with Washington’s ambition to reduce reliance on Chinese exports.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Monday that his government was seeking to strengthen ties with the United States and that citizens should not fear an imminent US takeover.