Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has criticized the United States’ potential military action against Greenland, suggesting it would greatly benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin. Sánchez expressed concerns that such a move would weaken NATO and validate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. His comments came amid heightened tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in purchasing the Arctic territory from Denmark.
The European Union is set to convene an emergency meeting to address Trump’s pressure on Denmark regarding Greenland. The meeting, involving ambassadors from the EU’s 27 member states, will take place in Cyprus. The U.S. president has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on eight European countries, escalating to 25% by June, unless an agreement over Greenland is reached.
Greenland holds significant strategic value, particularly for Arctic security. The U.S. already maintains a military base there, but recent threats from Trump have prompted several European nations to deploy military forces to the island. This action was requested by Denmark to assess military contributions and bolster regional security.
EU leaders have condemned Trump’s tariff threats, warning of a “dangerous negative escalation” that could harm transatlantic relations. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and António Costa, President of the European Council, emphasized the EU’s commitment to defending its sovereignty. Additionally, EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas highlighted the potential economic harm and distraction from resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Trump has consistently advocated for acquiring Greenland, citing its importance for the U.S. missile defense system, the “Golden Dome.” He has dismissed Greenland’s defensive capabilities, suggesting that if the U.S. does not act, Russia or China might. Trump has expressed a preference for a diplomatic agreement but insists on acquiring the territory regardless.
