London/Paris(The COW News Digital) Both the United Kingdom and France have strongly rejected recent U.S. threats regarding Greenland, emphasizing that any decisions about the territory’s future rest solely with its people and the Danish government. The statements come after former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Greenland holds strategic national security importance for the United States, sparking international debate.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer affirmed Denmark’s position on Greenland, stressing that the United Kingdom stands in solidarity with Copenhagen on the matter. “The people of Greenland, together with the Danish authorities, have the sovereign right to decide their own future,” Starmer said in a public statement. He further emphasized that external pressure or threats to alter borders are unacceptable under international norms.
France also voiced support for Greenland’s autonomy. A spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “Borders cannot be changed by force. Greenland belongs to its people and to Denmark, and it is up to them to determine its future.” The spokesperson also highlighted that respecting international law is essential, referencing the recent U.S. operation in Venezuela as an example of global legal norms being overlooked.
Both countries’ statements underline the responsibilities of permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, such as France, to uphold the UN Charter and condemn any violations of international law. Analysts view the coordinated European response as a clear signal that unilateral moves or threats to occupy foreign territories will face diplomatic pushback.
The controversy began when Trump suggested that Greenland, rich in natural resources and strategically located in the Arctic, was vital to U.S. national security. While he did not specify the measures he would take, the suggestion of potential American control over Greenland drew immediate criticism from European allies.
Experts say the dispute reflects broader tensions over Arctic geopolitics, where climate change, strategic military considerations, and mineral resources have increased international interest in the region. Greenland’s autonomy and self-determination remain central to discussions between Denmark, its autonomous territory, and foreign powers.
By rejecting U.S. threats, the United Kingdom and France have reinforced the principle that international borders cannot be altered by coercion and that diplomatic consultation, rather than unilateral action, is the acceptable path forward.
The statements mark a firm defense of Greenland’s sovereignty and an insistence on adherence to international law, signaling that any attempts to undermine the rights of Greenland’s people will not be tolerated by the European allies.
