EU backs Denmark and Greenland after USA President Donald Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a “special envoy to Greenland” and Landry publicly endorsed the idea of making the island “part of the USA”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa said Arctic security remains a key priority for the European Union and stressed that territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. They added that the EU stands “in full solidarity” with Denmark and the people of Greenland.
The statements came as Denmark and Greenland reacted strongly to the appointment, and as European capitals sought to underline that the High North’s strategic importance does not change the legal and political status of Greenland within the Kingdom of Denmark.
What Brussels said: solidarity and international law
In a message posted on Twitter, von der Leyen linked the issue to both security and legal principles. She said the EU is committed to Arctic security and cooperation with allies and partners, while underlining that territorial integrity and sovereignty are core principles of international law.
Costa echoed the same line in a separate message, aligning the European Council with the Commission, the EU executive and framing the matter as relevant beyond Denmark and Greenland.
A spokesperson from the EU executive, Anouar El Anouni, also said the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark — including Greenland — must be preserved.
The EU’s message: borders and sovereignty
Denmark is an EU member state, and Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The statements from von der Leyen and Costa restate two points Brussels wants to underline: Arctic security is an EU priority, and territorial integrity and sovereignty are non-negotiable principles under international law.
The wording also fits the EU’s wider stance since Russia’s war against Ukraine, where the bloc has consistently rejected any attempt to change borders by force or coercion.
For Copenhagen and Nuuk, the intervention is political backing from the EU’s top institutions as they push back against rhetoric that implies Greenland’s status could be altered from outside.
Sweden and Norway add political backing
Sweden’s Foreign Minister (Utrikesministern) Maria Malmer Stenergard said Sweden stands “wholeheartedly” behind Denmark and will always defend international law.
Norway, which is not an EU member but is closely tied to European security through NATO, also expressed support. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Norway stands fully behind Denmark and interpreted Trump’s move as a sign that the USA president is serious about the idea of making Greenland part of the USA.
Arctic security is the background, but sovereignty is the red line
Trump’s announcement presented Greenland as “critical” to USA national security. The EU response, by contrast, emphasised that the Arctic’s strategic relevance must be handled within international law.
The EU has increasingly treated the Arctic as both a climate and a security space — shaped by military competition, critical infrastructure and hybrid risks — while keeping a stated focus on stability, cooperation and sustainable development.
In that context, von der Leyen’s pairing of “Arctic security” and “sovereignty” is designed to draw a clear boundary: security cooperation with the USA is possible and desirable, but sovereignty and borders are not up for negotiation.
