Britain urged Donald Trump not to send American troops to seize Greenland after the US president repeated his desire to take control of the vast frozen territory.
Other European leaders warned Trump against action to capture Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, following the US military operation in Venezuela to snatch dictator Nicolas Maduro and fly him to America to face charges of narco-terrorism which he denies.
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Trump has not ruled out sending US troops to take control of Greenland.
He has repeatedly said he wants to take over Greenland, an ambition first voiced in 2019 during his first presidency.
On Sunday, he told The Atlantic magazine in an interview: “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.”
Trump also reportedly said: “We’ll worry about Greenland in about two months.
“Let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days.”
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Sir Keir Starmer said he "stands" with Denmark, adding that the country’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was "right" to refuse the US President any claim to the territory.
The British Prime Minister stressed: "Denmark is a close ally in Europe, it is a Nato ally.
“It's very important the future of Greenland is for the Kingdom of Denmark, and for Greenland, and only for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark."
Earlier, warning against military action, Home Office minister Mike Tapp said: “Greenland and Denmark, of course, and the United States are members of Nato.
“We have a long, proud history of coming to agreements where there’s disagreements through talking and not through division.
“I very much expect to see discussions to settle any potential disputes here.”
Ms Frederiksen said on Sunday that US comments about needing to take over Greenland made “absolutely no sense”.
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that Greenland belonged to Denmark and that Nato could discuss strengthening its protection if necessary.
Speaking to reporters in Lithuania, Mr Wadephul said Germany had questions about Maduro’s removal and stressed the Venezuelan people should determine their country’s future in free and fair elections, after Trump said the US would run the country.
On Greenland, the German foreign minister emphasised that it was part of Denmark.
“Since Denmark is a member of NATO, Greenland will, in principle, also be subject to NATO defence,” he added.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen declared “enough is enough,” rebuffing the renewed remarks by Trump about acquiring the vast territory.
“Threats, pressure, and talk of annexation have no place between friends,” he said on Facebook late on Sunday. “Enough is enough....No more fantasies about annexation.”
On December 21, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland.
Mr Landry has publicly expressed support for incorporating Greenland into the US.
US Vice President JD Vance has also visited Greenland which was seen as part of moves to push for it to come under American control.
Greenland’s strategic location between Europe and North America makes it a critical site in the US ballistic missile defence system.
The island’s significant mineral resources also align with Washington’s ambition to reduce dependence on Chinese exports.
Support for Denmark and Greenland came swiftly from Nordic and Baltic leaders following Trump’s latest remarks.
President Alexander Stubb of Finland posted on X late on Sunday: “No one decides for Greenland and Denmark but Greenland and Denmark themselves.”
France also expressed solidarity, saying Greenland belonged to its people.
President Emmanuel Macron said last June during a visit to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, that the island was threatened by “predatory ambition”.
