The former Prime Minister of Denmark has issued a stark warning that the United States' renewed interest in acquiring Greenland represents an 'extremely dangerous situation' that could unravel the NATO alliance.
'We Feel Bullied by a Bigger Nation'
Speaking to Sky News's political editor Beth Rigby for the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Helle Thorning-Schmidt did not mince her words. She described Denmark, a founding NATO member, as feeling 'bullied by a bigger nation' in a manner reminiscent of a schoolyard.
Her comments, made on Friday 9 January 2026, come directly after US President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to obtain the vast, semi-autonomous Arctic territory. The White House confirmed this week that the prospect is 'actively discussed' by the president's national security team, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt citing national security reasons.
'If you imagine this happened to the British Isles, where you suddenly had an American flag over it, the provocation is huge,' Ms Thorning-Schmidt stated, framing the issue in terms the UK audience could readily grasp.
A Direct Threat to the NATO Alliance
The ex-premier was unequivocal about the potential consequences. 'If there is any kind of hostility, or annexation... on Greenland, it is the end of NATO as we know it,' she cautioned.
She argued that the very foundation of the defensive pact—built on mutual respect between sovereign allies—would be shattered. Such a conflict between the US and Denmark would, in her view, be 'a fantastic day for Mr Putin, and President Xi in China', handing a major strategic victory to Western adversaries.
This stance has sent shockwaves through the Danish political establishment. Ms Thorning-Schmidt revealed that the US position is a 'big shock to the Danish way of thinking about allies', noting that Denmark has consistently contributed to American and NATO missions worldwide.
Diplomatic Moves and a 'Fork in the Road'
The geopolitical tension has triggered a flurry of high-level calls. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke with both President Trump and Danish PM Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday and Thursday, firmly stating that Greenland's future must be decided solely by Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.
Ms Thorning-Schmidt expressed hope that President Trump's rhetoric is merely a 'negotiating tactic'. She pointed out that the US already operates the Thule Air Base in Greenland and suggested there is no Danish or Greenlandic resistance to an expanded American role—if done collaboratively.
'All of that could be done in collaboration with Denmark, Greenland and NATO, and we would be stronger for it,' she said, drawing a clear contrast with a hostile takeover. 'So there's a fork in the road here.'
She praised European leaders for their current diplomatic efforts, urging a measured response. 'What we don't want to do is to be more aggressive or have a harder tone than is absolutely necessary at this stage,' she concluded, emphasising that a peaceful resolution is entirely possible.
