European Union (EU) Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius issued a stark warning against the possibility of the United States seizing Greenland through the use of military force. Kubilius stated that such a move would amount to irreversible destruction for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
“The Alliance Would Be Shaken to Its Core”
Speaking at a security conference held in Sweden, Kubilius evaluated U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion of using force due to Greenland’s strategic location and resources. According to a report by Reuters, Kubilius said he agreed with the Danish Prime Minister and used the following words:
“I agree with the Danish Prime Minister; this would be the end of NATO. Beyond provoking a very negative reaction among the public, it would eliminate the very reason for the alliance’s existence.”
Emphasis on the EU Treaty and Defence Assistance
Kubilius recalled Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty in the event of a possible military intervention. Noting that this article emphasizes the obligation of other member states to assist when a member state is subjected to armed aggression, the Commissioner underlined the following critical points:
- Military Support: If Denmark were to request it, the EU could provide troops and military infrastructure support to enhance Greenland’s security.
- Trade Relations: A potential invasion would deeply shake U.S.–European trade partnerships and all areas of diplomatic relations.
- Strategic Capacity: Europe must strengthen its own defence capacity by reducing its dependence on the United States.
While the governments of Greenland and Denmark have reiterated that the island is not for sale, Kubilius stated that NATO, in its current structure, would not be able to withstand such a scenario.
Source :C4Defence / Reuters
