EU commissioner reaffirms Greenland security, warning US takeover would end NATO

HELSINKI - The European Union (EU) 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 (NATO).

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.

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.