January 15, 2026, 8:18 p.mJanuary 15, 2026, 8:18 p.m
In the event of a violent conflict over Greenland, Germany and the other EU states could have to provide assistance at Denmark’s request. A spokeswoman for the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas made this clear after the inconclusive talks in Washington about the unjustified US claims to ownership of the Arctic island from a European perspective.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.Image: keystone
Greenland is part of the territory of the Kingdom of Denmark and therefore fundamentally falls under the mutual solidarity clause in Article 42 paragraph 7 of the EU Treaty, the spokeswoman told the German Press Agency. At the same time, she emphasized that the question of application does not currently arise. In principle, a military confrontation is considered very unlikely because nobody would probably take on the most powerful military force in the world.
Clear announcement after a long silence
The public definition is still explosive. Previously, EU representatives had long avoided the question of whether Denmark could theoretically request the assistance of other member states in the event of the United States forcibly annexing Greenland. The reason is, among other things, that the Greenlanders voted in a referendum in 1982 to leave the then European Community (EC). At the same time, Greenland remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Some lawyers are also of the opinion that the solidarity clause probably does not apply to Greenland.
It specifically states: “In the event of an armed attack on the territory of a Member State, the other Member States owe it all the assistance and support in their power (…).”
Denmark cannot count on NATO in the dispute
Article 42 paragraph 7 is therefore worded even more strictly than Article 5 of NATO. According to this, the alliance states have discretion as to how they come to the aid of allies in the event of an attack. Denmark could not declare a NATO alliance anyway because the USA would also have to agree to it.
The clarification came shortly after Greenland talks ended unsuccessfully in Washington on Wednesday. At these meetings, the Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and the Greenland Minister responsible for foreign policy Vivian Motzfeldt tried to make it clear to the Americans that the USA has no claim to Greenland and that the largest island in the world is not for sale.
Trump won’t let up
Immediately before the meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, US President Donald Trump had once again made it clear that he was not thinking of giving up his interest in Greenland, which is rich in raw materials. He once again referred to strategic security interests of the United States that allegedly could not be protected through NATO.
Trump’s statements are causing a stir and concern, especially because he has not yet ruled out military coercion in order to gain control over Greenland. The island is four-fifths covered with ice and six times the size of Germany, but only has around 57,000 inhabitants.
After the exchange with Rubio and Vance, Rasmussen noted “fundamental” differences of opinion. As a sign of solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, Germany and other EU states have announced a military mission for the country. The Bundeswehr is taking part in the multi-day exploratory mission on the Arctic island with 13 soldiers. (hkl/sda/dpa)