• President Donald Trump reaffirmed U.S. intentions to acquire Greenland in Atlantic interview, citing Russian and Chinese naval presence
  • European leaders voiced concerns about American territorial ambitions following controversial Venezuela operation
  • Denmark’s ambassador issued pointed reminder demanding respect for territorial integrity

WASHINGTON (TDR) — President Donald Trump intensified his campaign to acquire Greenland on Sunday, telling The Atlantic magazine the United States “absolutely needs” the Arctic territory for national security just hours after a controversial military operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The renewed pressure on Denmark, which governs Greenland as an autonomous territory, came as European allies expressed growing alarm about American territorial ambitions in the wake of Saturday’s raid on Caracas.

Security Justification Raises European Concerns

In a telephone interview with The Atlantic, Trump described Greenland as surrounded by Russian and Chinese naval vessels. The president claimed the island is essential for Arctic defense, emphasizing defense needs over the territory’s substantial mineral wealth.

“We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense.”

The timing of Trump’s statements raised eyebrows across Europe, coming just hours after U.S. special forces conducted Operation Absolute Resolve, a dramatic nighttime raid that seized Maduro and his wife from their residence inside Venezuela’s Fort Tiuna military complex. The operation involved more than 150 aircraft and disabled Venezuelan air defenses before extracting the captured leader to the USS Iwo Jima.

Denmark Issues Firm Territorial Warning

Denmark’s ambassador to the United States, Jesper Møller Sørensen, responded with a pointed public statement Sunday following a provocative social media post by Katie Miller, wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. The post displayed Greenland painted in American flag colors with the word “SOON.”

Sørensen declared Denmark expects “full respect for the territorial integrity” of the kingdom, reminding Washington that both nations “are close allies and should continue to work together as such.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen had previously issued a joint statement firmly rejecting annexation attempts.

“You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland.”

European Unity Against Territorial Expansion

The European Union rallied behind Denmark, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasizing that “territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law.”

French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez both reaffirmed support for Denmark’s territorial integrity, with Sánchez declaring that respecting sovereignty “is central to the EU and to all nations of the world.”

Strategic Arctic Competition Intensifies

Trump has pursued Greenland acquisition since his first term, when he postponed a 2019 Denmark visit after Frederiksen rejected the proposal. The president recently appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, drawing renewed diplomatic protests.

The Arctic territory holds strategic value beyond its estimated 20 percent of global rare earth mineral deposits. The island’s geographic position provides crucial military advantages as Russia and China expand their Arctic presence.

Denmark has sought to address U.S. security concerns by significantly boosting its Arctic defense spending throughout 2025. Frederiksen acknowledged the difficult position, stating on Instagram that “it is a difficult situation that our allies for a lifetime are putting us in.”

International Law Questions Mount

The Venezuela operation drew mixed international reactions, with the United Nations warning the strikes set “a dangerous precedent” for global order. European leaders balanced criticism of Maduro’s regime with concerns about the raid’s legality, with France acknowledging the operation “infringes the principles of international law.”

Could Trump’s military action in Venezuela embolden similar territorial ambitions toward Greenland, fundamentally reshaping NATO alliance dynamics?

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