NATO Leaders Push Back on Trump, Declare Greenland’s Future Is Not for the U.S. to Decide

The message underscores sovereignty, NATO unity, and growing tensions over Arctic security.

European leaders from key NATO countries have released a strong joint statement rejecting any suggestion that the United States could unilaterally take control of Greenland, directly responding to renewed comments from President Donald Trump and members of his administration.

The declaration makes one point unmistakably clear: “Greenland belongs to its people,” and only Greenland and Denmark have the authority to decide the island’s future—a rare moment of unified and explicit pushback against Washington from multiple European allies.

The leaders emphasized that the Arctic has become a strategic priority for NATO, with European allies significantly increasing their military presence, investments, and surveillance activities in the region. According to the statement, these efforts are aimed at maintaining stability and deterring adversaries, not redrawing borders.

They also reaffirmed that the Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland, is a full NATO member, making Arctic security a collective responsibility. Any approach to safeguarding the region, they argued, must respect international law and be carried out in coordination with all NATO allies—including the United States.

The statement stressed that Arctic security must align with the core principles of the UN Charter, such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders. European leaders warned that these principles are non-negotiable and will continue to be defended, regardless of geopolitical pressure.

While underscoring their firm stance, the leaders also acknowledged the U.S. as an essential NATO partner, referencing the long-standing 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the United States. However, they drew a clear line between cooperation and control.

The message was signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, 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—signaling broad European alignment.

As debates over Arctic influence intensify amid global power shifts, this coordinated response marks one of the clearest rejections yet of U.S. claims over Greenland, reinforcing that its destiny lies firmly in the hands of its people and Denmark.