Europe reaffirms support for Greenland, Denmark as fears of U.S. takeover mount

Europe reaffirmed its support for Greenland’s independence on Tuesday, as fears of a U.S. takeover resurface after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend.

The leaders of France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Poland and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement that U.S. domination of Greenland would be unacceptable, and that NATO should collectively be responsible for ensuring the autonomous island’s security.

“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” the statement reads. “NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up.”

Greenland, whose defense and foreign policy are largely governed by Denmark, is not an independent member of NATO. However, the Arctic island’s location in the north Atlantic Ocean has made it a strategic target for Europe, Russia, China and the U.S.

President Trump has made Greenland the target of his second administration’s expansionist rhetoric, asserting that the U.S. needs to control the island for security purposes. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Mr. Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, said his objective is to make Greenland “part of the U.S.”

Mr. Trump told reporters on Monday that he would address the issue of U.S. control over Greenland in the coming weeks.

Greenlanders and Danish leaders have roundly rejected a U.S. takeover of the island and have rebuked Mr. Trump for his rhetoric over the past year. But the Jan. 3 military operation that captured Mr. Maduro has renewed fears that Greenland might receive similar treatment if it continues to resist the Trump administration.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen dismissed comparisons between his country and Venezuela on Monday, adding that Greenland is seeking greater ties with Washington.

“We are not in the situation where we are thinking that a takeover of the country might happen overnight,” Mr. Nielsen said at a press conference. “You cannot compare Greenland to Venezuela. We are a democratic country.”

Still, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Mr. Trump’s comments about Greenland should not be taken lightly in the wake of the arrest of Mr. Maduro.

“Unfortunately, I think the American president should be taken seriously when he says he wants Greenland,” Ms. Frederiksen said Monday. “I have made it very clear where the Kingdom of Denmark stands, and Greenland has repeatedly said that it does not want to be part of the United States.”