Prime Minister Keir Starmer has joined a chorus of European leaders in a sharp rebuke to Donald Trump, after the US President renewed threats to take control of Greenland. The coordinated response, issued on the morning of January 6, 2026, firmly asserts that the vast Arctic island "belongs to its people."
A United Front Against Annexation Threats
The joint statement, signed by Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, comes amid heightened alarm over potential US military action. Tensions have escalated since the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, with European capitals fearing a similar aggressive move towards the Danish territory.
The fears were given voice by a senior White House official. In a CNN interview on January 5, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller provocatively stated, ‘Nobody’s gonna fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.’ This remark signalled a dismissive attitude towards international law and the sovereignty of a close ally, prompting the swift diplomatic counter.
Upholding the Pillars of International Law
The leaders' statement heavily emphasises the role of Nato—which includes both Denmark and the United States—in maintaining Arctic security. It insists this security must be founded on ‘upholding the principles of the UN Charter’, specifically naming ‘sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders’ as non-negotiable tenets.
While acknowledging the US as an essential partner through both Nato and a 1951 defence agreement with Denmark, the message is unequivocal. ‘Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,’ the declaration concludes, leaving no room for interpretation.
Implications for Transatlantic Relations
This public and coordinated distancing from Washington's position marks a significant moment in transatlantic diplomacy. It places the core values of the international rules-based order above the unilateral ambitions of a key ally. The statement serves as a collective shield for Denmark, affirming that any action against Greenland would be an action against the consensus of its major European partners.
The crisis underscores the fragile state of Arctic security and tests the resilience of Nato unity when a member state's actions threaten the sovereignty of another. The firm stance taken by Starmer, Macron, Merz, and Frederiksen sets a clear boundary, defending a fundamental principle while navigating an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
