Greenland has rejected any suggestion of a takeover by the United States, saying it will not accept such a move "under any circumstances" and calling on NATO
to ensure its defence, amid renewed comments by President Donald Trump about acquiring the territory. In a statement released on Monday, Greenland's prime minister's office said: "The United States has once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland. This is something the government coalition in Greenland cannot accept under any circumstances." The statement added: "Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. As a part of the Realm, Greenland is a member of NATO, and the defence of Greenland must therefore be insured through NATO." Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and is covered by NATO through Denmark's membership of the alliance.
Trump, who has expressed interest in Greenland for several years, told reporters last week that the United States would seek to take control of the territory for national security reasons.
"We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not because if we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland and we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour," he said.
"I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way. And I am a fan of Denmark," Trump added.
Can NATO Defend Greenland for a US Invasion?
The comments have reignited debate over NATO's role and the limits of international law. Under the North Atlantic Treaty, an armed attack on any member state is considered an attack on all, meaning an attack on Greenland would be treated as an attack on Denmark. Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland is also recognised by the United States under a 1951 defence agreement.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a US military attempt to seize Greenland would effectively destroy the alliance.
"Certainly, a military attack would be the end of NATO, because then Denmark would have to invoke Article 5 of NATO," she said. "Then the Americans and all other countries would be obliged to come and help Denmark protect Denmark against the United States. Of course, the Americans would veto that, and then NATO would be dead."
Article 5 does not apply automatically and must be formally invoked by the state under attack. NATO members have previously avoided using it in disputes between allies, such as during clashes between Greece and Turkey in 1974. Analysts say Denmark would be more likely to pursue a diplomatic response.
According to international law, the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of a state is also prohibited as per the UN Charter. Legal experts have also noted that an attempt to seize Greenland by force would be violating the principles of the Charter, thereby opening the chances of legal action against America.
The issue has prompted concern in European capitals, with questions being raised about NATO's silence and its ability to protect the sovereignty of member states in the face of pressure from within the alliance itself.
