European diplomacy experienced a classic case of 'one step forward, one step back' this Wednesday, as progress on bolstering Ukraine's security was swiftly overshadowed by renewed US interest in acquiring Greenland.
Ukraine Security Advances Amidst Greenland Uncertainty
Just hours after the so-called Coalition of the Willing took a significant stride towards providing Ukraine with long-sought security guarantees, the mood was dampened by comments from Washington. The potential deployment of UK and French troops had briefly signalled a positive direction. However, the White House abruptly stated that using US military force to acquire Greenland from Denmark remains "always an option".
The controversial remark came shortly after several European nations issued a firm statement backing Denmark and Greenland in their opposition to former President Donald Trump's longstanding ambition for the territory. In response, Denmark convened an emergency meeting of its foreign affairs committee on Tuesday night to strategise its next moves.
Diplomatic Reassurances and Contingency Planning
According to an overnight report in the Wall Street Journal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed lawmakers that Trump's preferred method is a purchase, not an invasion. Despite this, scepticism remains high in Copenhagen regarding the proposal's merits.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot sought to calm nerves this morning, stating that after speaking with Secretary Rubio, he is confident a Venezuela-like scenario will not unfold in Greenland. "For now," he cautiously added. Barrot confirmed that France is collaborating with partners on a response plan should the US act on its threat, with the issue slated for discussion at today's ministerial meeting with German and Polish counterparts.
Winter Havoc and Trade Talks
Separately, severe winter weather continues to cause major travel disruption across the continent. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or delayed, with Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and Paris's Charles de Gaulle among the worst affected. Flight tracking service Flightradar24 reported more than 3,300 cancellations since last Friday at Schiphol alone.
Temperatures are plunging well below freezing, with forecasts of -9°C in Warsaw, -5°C in Berlin, and -2°C in Paris and Brussels.
On the trade front, EU negotiations on the Mercosur trade deal are back on the agenda today following delays caused by opposition from France and Italy, as the bloc seeks to strengthen its international trade partnerships.
All key developments will be covered here on Europe Live. This is Jakub Krupa reporting on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
