US Attack on Greenland Could End NATO, Danish PM Warns

A potential US attack on Greenland and NATO’s future have become dangerously intertwined after Denmark’s prime minister issued one of the strongest warnings yet against Washington’s growing rhetoric over the Arctic island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said any military move by the United States to take control of Greenland would effectively mark the end of the NATO alliance, shaking the foundation of transatlantic security built since World War II.

Her comments come amid renewed threats from former US President Donald Trump, who has once again pushed the idea that Greenland should fall under American control.

What Happened: Denmark Responds to US Threats Over Greenland

Speaking on Monday, Frederiksen addressed concerns triggered by Trump’s latest remarks, in which he said he would “talk about Greenland in 20 days.” Trump has repeatedly argued that the mineral-rich Arctic territory should come under US jurisdiction, citing national security concerns.

The Danish leader’s warning followed a dramatic escalation in global tensions after US forces carried out a military operation in Venezuela, abducting President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. That action has alarmed European capitals, including Copenhagen, which views Greenland as a core part of the Danish kingdom and, by extension, NATO.

“If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops,” Frederiksen said in an interview with Danish broadcaster TV2. She stressed that such a move would undermine NATO itself and dismantle the collective security framework that has protected Europe for decades.

Greenland, though semi-autonomous, remains under Danish sovereignty and is covered by NATO’s mutual defence obligations.

Why It Matters: NATO Unity and Global Stability at Risk

The warning highlights why a US attack on Greenland and NATO unity has become such a sensitive issue. NATO’s credibility depends on the principle that no member threatens or attacks another. Any violation would not only weaken the alliance but could cause it to collapse entirely.

Greenland’s strategic location between Europe and North America makes it vital to US ballistic missile defence systems. Its vast mineral reserves, including rare earth elements, have also drawn attention as Washington seeks to reduce reliance on China.

Trump argued on Sunday that foreign powers already operate near Greenland. “Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” he said, adding that Denmark lacked the capacity to secure the territory adequately.

Those comments, combined with recent US military actions elsewhere, have intensified fears that rhetoric could turn into action.

Greenland Reacts: Calm but Firm Response from Nuuk

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen moved quickly to calm public anxiety while rejecting US pressure. He condemned a social media post by Katie Miller, wife of Trump’s deputy chief of staff, which showed Greenland in US flag colours with the word “SOON” above it.

Nielsen called the post “disrespectful,” saying relations between nations must rest on international law, not symbolic gestures. Still, he urged residents not to panic.

“Our country is not for sale, and our future is not decided by social media posts,” Nielsen said. He added that there was no immediate threat of a takeover and emphasised the importance of cooperation rather than confrontation.

“The situation is not such that the United States can simply conquer Greenland,” he told reporters.

European Leaders Rally Behind Denmark

As the debate over a US attack on Greenland and NATO obligations intensified, European leaders voiced strong support for Denmark.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Denmark could rely on the solidarity of all European nations. He warned that NATO would lose its purpose if member states threatened one another.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed that sentiment, publicly backing Frederiksen and affirming Denmark’s position on Greenland’s future.

These statements underscore growing European concern that internal NATO disputes could weaken the alliance at a time of global instability.

What Happens Next: Diplomatic Pressure and Strategic Talks

Diplomatic efforts are expected to intensify in the coming weeks. Trump’s statement that he would revisit the Greenland issue within 20 days has placed European governments on alert.

Denmark is likely to push the issue through NATO and EU channels, reinforcing that Greenland’s status is non-negotiable under international law. Greenland’s leadership, meanwhile, will continue to assert autonomy while maintaining defence cooperation with the US through existing agreements.

Analysts expect increased diplomatic engagement rather than military escalation, but uncertainty remains high given recent US actions abroad.

Conclusion: A Red Line Drawn for NATO’s Future

Denmark’s warning over a US attack on Greenland and NATO’s survival marks a critical moment for the alliance. Frederiksen’s message was clear: NATO cannot function if one member threatens another.

As global tensions rise, Greenland has emerged as more than a remote Arctic territory. It now sits at the centre of a debate about sovereignty, security, and the future of the world’s most powerful military alliance.

Whether cooler heads prevail may determine not only Greenland’s fate, but the strength of NATO itself.