HELSINKI/OSLO/BERLIN - The European Union could help provide security for Greenland if Denmark requests it, European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius said on Monday, warning that any US military takeover of the Arctic territory would cause the end of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Speaking to media on the sidelines of a security conference in Sweden's Salen, Kubilius said he shared Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's view that a forced takeover would deal a fatal blow to NATO and severely damage transatlantic ties. He added that such a move would also trigger a strong negative reaction among Europeans.
Kubilius said he did not believe a US invasion was imminent, but noted that Article 42.7 of the EU treaty obliges member states to provide mutual assistance if a member country is subjected to armed aggression. He said the bloc could step up support for Greenland at Denmark's request, including by deploying troops and expanding military infrastructure such as naval presence and counter-drone capabilities.
Denmark and the United States, both NATO members, are scheduled to meet this week to discuss the Greenland issue. Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly said the territory is not for sale, while US President Donald Trump has insisted Washington must "own" Greenland without ruling out the use of force.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Europeans within NATO were discussing ways to strengthen the alliance, but stressed that such work should not be based on any presumption that NATO would stop functioning.
Also at the security policy conference in the western resort town of Salen, Kristersson on Sunday criticized recent US actions in Venezuela and Trump's "threatening rhetoric" toward Denmark and Greenland, warning that such moves undermine international law and increase risks for smaller countries.
Kristersson said Washington should instead show gratitude toward Denmark, as it has been a longstanding ally. He also pledged Swedish support for Denmark.
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Since taking office in January 2025, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring control of Greenland, stating that he would not rule out the use of "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal. Last month, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as US special envoy to Greenland, renewing diplomatic tensions between Washington and the Danish Realm. Trump said in a recent interview that the United States "absolutely" needs Greenland.
The security conference in Salen began in 1946 and is organized by the Swedish civic defense organization Folk och Forsvar. Salen is a mountain town about 400 km northwest of the capital, Stockholm.
Remarks by US special envoy to Greenland
Meanwhile, the Danish ambassador to the United States has refuted on social media against a post by the US special envoy to Greenland regarding Washington's role in the island's security history.
In response to US special envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry, Danish Ambassador Jesper Moller Sorensen wrote on social media platform X on Sunday that Greenland has been part of the Kingdom of Denmark for centuries, and the fact has repeatedly been recognized by the US administrations, the United Nations, and the international community.
Emphasizing that only the people of Greenland should decide their future, Sorensen added, "For 80 years, Denmark, Greenland, and the US have had a successful security partnership in the Arctic. Let's continue to address security challenges in the Arctic as partners and allies."
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On Sunday afternoon, Landry posted on X that "The US defended Greenland's sovereignty during WWII when Denmark couldn't. After the war, Denmark re-occupied it-side stepping and ignoring UN protocol."
Landry's post prompted criticism from numerous social media users, many of whom accused the US official of misrepresenting historical facts and voiced support for Denmark and Greenland.
Security of Greenland
On Monday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said NATO members are currently discussing the security of Greenland, noting that he expects the United States to be involved in the initiative.
"We are speaking very extensively with the Danish government, and we simply want to improve the security situation for Greenland together," Merz said during his visit to India, adding that he expects the United States "will also take part in this".
According to a press release from the German government, the chancellor expressed his hope that NATO members could reach a consensus solution to bolster Greenland's security.
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He noted that diplomatic efforts are already underway, highlighting that the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is currently in Washington for talks that include this issue.
