{"id":367508,"date":"2026-01-13T14:49:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T14:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/367508\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T14:49:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T14:49:16","slug":"greenlands-security-firmly-belongs-in-nato-says-prime-minister-after-latest-trump-threats-to-take-over-territory-as-it-happened-greenland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/367508\/","title":{"rendered":"Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened | Greenland"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Greenland&#8217;s security &#8216;firmly&#8217; belongs in Nato, territory&#8217;s prime minister says<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Greenland\u2019s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also went a bit further, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Jensfrederiknielsendemokraatit\/posts\/pfbid0DzGNJTXz9QSPVZFGjwbjrR84H5TcSABrHG3C1edMxmfo1VTXCf6fdn7gHtACVoxRl?locale=en_GB\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">saying on his Facebook<\/a> that he understood the unease with which many people followed the reports about the US interest in Greenland.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Chairman of the Naalakkersuisut, Greenland\u2019s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen holds a press conference in Nuuk, Greenland earlier this month.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768315755_128_6880.jpg\" width=\"465\" height=\"372\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"\/>Chairman of the Naalakkersuisut, Greenland\u2019s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen holds a press conference in Nuuk, Greenland earlier this month. Photograph: Oscar Scott Carl\/EPA<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is why it is important to be absolutely clear: Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and part of Nato through the Commonwealth. This means that our security and defence belong in Nato. That is a fundamental and firm line.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He acknowledged that \u201cthere has been a lot of international attention in our country,\u201d and that \u201cin itself is positive,\u201d reflecting the territory\u2019s \u201cstrategic importance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He then repeated the government\u2019s statement line on working on strengthening the territory\u2019s security through Nato, before pointedly stressing:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are a democratic society that makes our own decisions. And our actions are based on international law \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69650f168f088556bc3affb9#block-69650f168f088556bc3affb9\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a010.31 EST<\/p>\n<p>Key events<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-696524cc8f088556bc3b00f3#block-696524cc8f088556bc3b00f3\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 0 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>22h ago<\/p>\n<p>Closing summary<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69651f408f08c4c8a07ec244#block-69651f408f08c4c8a07ec244\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 1 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>22h ago<\/p>\n<p>Trump annexation of Greenland \u2018would be end of Nato\u2019, says senior US Democrat<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-696516268f086f54968293a6#block-696516268f086f54968293a6\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 2 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>23h ago<\/p>\n<p>Danish, Greenlandic foreign ministers coordinate ahead of talks with US<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69650f168f088556bc3affb9#block-69650f168f088556bc3affb9\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 3 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>23h ago<\/p>\n<p>Greenland&#8217;s security &#8216;firmly&#8217; belongs in Nato, territory&#8217;s prime minister says<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-696507818f088556bc3aff32#block-696507818f088556bc3aff32\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 4 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>Greenland &#8216;cannot accept&#8217; US desire to control territory; will work with Denmark to step up dialogue on territory&#8217;s defence through Nato<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964fee28f08c4c8a07ec06e#block-6964fee28f08c4c8a07ec06e\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 5 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>What is the EU&#8217;s mutual assistance clause and could it help Greenland? &#8211; snap analysis<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964f7708f088556bc3afe94#block-6964f7708f088556bc3afe94\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 6 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>Trump &#8216;doing right things for Nato&#8217; by encouraging higher defence spending, Rutte says, as he avoids criticising US president over Greenland<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964f4978f08c4c8a07ec00d#block-6964f4978f08c4c8a07ec00d\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 7 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>European Commission president to sign controversial Mercosur deal on Saturday<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964ed2b8f086f5496829179#block-6964ed2b8f086f5496829179\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 8 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>US attempt to take Greenland by force would mark end of Nato, EU defence commissioner warns<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964e5e18f086f549682913f#block-6964e5e18f086f549682913f\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 9 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>US ownership of Greenland &#8216;psychologically important for me,&#8217; Trump says<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964e0438f086f549682910b#block-6964e0438f086f549682910b\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 10 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>Swiss bar owner formally remanded in custody for three months &#8211; media reports<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964d2f48f08c4c8a07ebe73#block-6964d2f48f08c4c8a07ebe73\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 11 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>Greenland should be offered EU membership to fend off Trump&#8217;s interest, former German vice-chancellor says<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964cdd58f08c4c8a07ebe50#block-6964cdd58f08c4c8a07ebe50\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 12 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>Danish meeting with US senators &#8216;good news,&#8217; opportunity to &#8216;get some truths on table,&#8217; lawmaker says<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964c3ca8f0816b5c3d0a0f1#block-6964c3ca8f0816b5c3d0a0f1\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 13 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>Two key meetings on Greenland&#8217;s relations with Denmark, US coming up this week<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964bdd48f081b74a25d1199#block-6964bdd48f081b74a25d1199\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 14 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>China criticises Trump&#8217;s Greenland interest<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964b57d8f081b74a25d1164#block-6964b57d8f081b74a25d1164\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 15 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>What can the EU and Nato do to stop Trump from trying to claim Greenland?<\/p>\n<p><\/a><a href=\"?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d#block-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d\" data-link-name=\"key event card | 16 of 17\" class=\"dcr-1h9m71a\"><\/p>\n<p>1d ago<\/p>\n<p>Morning opening: &#8216;If it affects Nato, it affects Nato&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><\/a>Show key events only<\/p>\n<p>Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n<p>Closing summary<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768315755_156_Jakub_Krupa.png\" alt=\"Jakub Krupa\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/>Jakub Krupa<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u2026 and on that note, it\u2019s a wrap for today!<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Greenlandic government has issued a statement saying it \u201ccannot accept under any circumstances\u201d the US desire to control the territory, as it insisted that the territory\u2019s security could be secured through the Nato alliance (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-696507818f088556bc3aff32#block-696507818f088556bc3aff32\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">15:42<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Greenlandic prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen insisted that Greenland was firmly a part of Denmark and Nato, and its security and defence were Nato matters (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-69650f168f088556bc3affb9#block-69650f168f088556bc3affb9\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">16:16<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The latest comments come as the US president, Donald Trump, repeatedly confirmed his intention to take control of the territory \u201cone way or the other\u201d as he ridiculed Denmark\u2019s defences and insisted it was facing threats from Russia and China (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d#block-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">9:41<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6964e5e18f086f549682913f#block-6964e5e18f086f549682913f\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">13:20<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">His comments prompted EU defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius to warn that the US move to take Greenland by force would spell the end of Nato (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6964ed2b8f086f5496829179#block-6964ed2b8f086f5496829179\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">13:48<\/a>), as he also pointed to a little-known mutual assistance clause in the EU treaties (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6964fee28f08c4c8a07ec06e#block-6964fee28f08c4c8a07ec06e\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">15:09<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Nato secretary general Mark Rutte did not criticise Trump over Greenland, instead discussing the alliance\u2019s need to strengthen its forces in the High Arctic (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6964f7708f088556bc3afe94#block-6964f7708f088556bc3afe94\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">14:33<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And that\u2019s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at jakub.krupa@theguardian.com.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-696524cc8f088556bc3b00f3#block-696524cc8f088556bc3b00f3\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Trump annexation of Greenland \u2018would be end of Nato\u2019, says senior US Democrat<\/p>\n<p>Richard Luscombe<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Meanwhile, senior Democratic US senator Chris Murphy has warned that Donald Trump\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jan\/06\/why-is-donald-trump-renewing-calls-for-takeover-of-greenland\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">threat to annex Greenland<\/a> represents an existential crisis for Nato, with the demise of the decades-old alliance of western nations certain to follow any American military intervention.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cIt would be the end of Nato, right? Nato would have an obligation to defend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/greenland\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Greenland<\/a>,\u201d the Connecticut senator and member of the chamber\u2019s foreign relations committee said Sunday on NBC\u2019s Meet the Press. Murphy added that it would mean \u201cclearly \u2026 we would be at war with Europe, with England, with France\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Murphy\u2019s comments came as Trump ramped up his fixation with the Arctic territory, with the US president telling reporters on Air Force One on Sunday that \u201cone way or the other, we are going to have Greenland\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d#block-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">9:41<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69651f408f08c4c8a07ec244#block-69651f408f08c4c8a07ec244\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Danish, Greenlandic foreign ministers coordinate ahead of talks with US<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Meanwhile, Denmark\u2019s foreign minister Lars L\u00f8kke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt have met today for talks ahead of their big meeting with Rubio on Wednesday, Danish media reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Rasmussen <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dr.dk\/nyheder\/indland\/groenland\/live-storpolitisk-drama-mellem-usa-danmark-og-groenland?focusId=10838195\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">posted a picture from the meeting<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/larsloekke\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">his Instagram account.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-696516268f086f54968293a6#block-696516268f086f54968293a6\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Greenland&#8217;s security &#8216;firmly&#8217; belongs in Nato, territory&#8217;s prime minister says<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Greenland\u2019s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also went a bit further, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Jensfrederiknielsendemokraatit\/posts\/pfbid0DzGNJTXz9QSPVZFGjwbjrR84H5TcSABrHG3C1edMxmfo1VTXCf6fdn7gHtACVoxRl?locale=en_GB\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">saying on his Facebook<\/a> that he understood the unease with which many people followed the reports about the US interest in Greenland.<\/p>\n<p>Chairman of the Naalakkersuisut, Greenland\u2019s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen holds a press conference in Nuuk, Greenland earlier this month. Photograph: Oscar Scott Carl\/EPA<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is why it is important to be absolutely clear: Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and part of Nato through the Commonwealth. This means that our security and defence belong in Nato. That is a fundamental and firm line.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He acknowledged that \u201cthere has been a lot of international attention in our country,\u201d and that \u201cin itself is positive,\u201d reflecting the territory\u2019s \u201cstrategic importance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He then repeated the government\u2019s statement line on working on strengthening the territory\u2019s security through Nato, before pointedly stressing:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are a democratic society that makes our own decisions. And our actions are based on international law \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69650f168f088556bc3affb9#block-69650f168f088556bc3affb9\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a010.31 EST<\/p>\n<p>Greenland &#8216;cannot accept&#8217; US desire to control territory; will work with Denmark to step up dialogue on territory&#8217;s defence through Nato<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Greenlandic government has just <a href=\"https:\/\/naalakkersuisut.gl\/Nyheder\/2026\/01\/1201_oqaaseqaat?sc_lang=da\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">issued a statement<\/a> responding to the latest comments from the US president, Donald Trump, about the territory, insisting that it \u201ccannot accept under any circumstances\u201d the US desire to take over Greenland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The statement stressed that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/greenland\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Greenland<\/a> was \u201cpart of the Kingdon of Denmark,\u201d and \u201cas part of the Danish Commonwealth, Greenland is a member of Nato and the defence of Greenland must therefore be [done] through Nato.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBased on the very positive statement from the 6 Nato member states regarding Greenland, the Government of Greenland will increase its efforts to ensure that the defence of Greenland takes place under the auspices of Nato. <\/p>\n<p>All Nato member states, including the United States, have a common interest in the defence of Greenland, and the government coalition in Greenland will therefore work with Denmark to ensure that the dialogue on and development of the defence in Greenland takes place within the framework of Nato cooperation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It added that the government coalition \u201cbelieves that Greenland will for ever be part of the western defence alliance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-696507818f088556bc3aff32#block-696507818f088556bc3aff32\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>What is the EU&#8217;s mutual assistance clause and could it help Greenland? &#8211; snap analysis<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lisa-OCarroll-byline-004.jpg\" alt=\"Lisa O\u2019Carroll\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/>Lisa O\u2019Carroll<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The EU\u2019s mutual assistance clause is stronger than Article 5 in Nato, say experts but may not be the answer if the US were to invade <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/greenland\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Greenland<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A member of the French armed forces walks on ice during a military drill as Danish, Swedish and Norwegian home guard units together with Danish, German and French troops take part in joint military drills in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland in September last year. Photograph: Guglielmo Mangiapane\/Reuters<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eeas.europa.eu\/eeas\/article-427-teu-eus-mutual-assistance-clause_en\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Article 42 (7) of the treaty of the EU<\/a> is generally consistent with Article 5 in Nato\u2019s charter that stipulates that an attack on one member of the alliance should be considered an attack on all.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It has only been activated once so far, when France called for assistance in the wake of the Bataclan terrorist attack while Nato\u2019s Article 5 has also only been used once, following the September 11 attack on New York in 2001.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Speaking at a conference in Sweden (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6964ed2b8f086f5496829179#block-6964ed2b8f086f5496829179\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">13:48<\/a>), Kubilius said an invasion of Greenland by the US would be the end of Nato, but member states had to now focus on their obligations under Article 42.7 as part of contingency planning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Article 42.7 of the treaty on European Union states:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">However, at least one political party in Europe has privately said legally it was not clear if the mutual assistance clause would provide for military assistance that could be needed in the event of an invasion of Greenland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cEven though it is part of the Kingdom of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/weather\/denmark\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Denmark<\/a>, Greenland would need a change of status and to become a Region Outermost of the European Union. This would entail full inclusion in the Union\u2019s legal order, with the adaptations foreseen by the Treaties. Such a process would require the consent of the people of Greenland and a revision of the Treaties,\u201d said one European politician whose party is dubious about the value of the clause.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">For more context, Erik Jones, director of the Robert Schuman centre for advance studies at the European University in Florence, said the clause was grounded in language in the 1948 Brussels Treaty Organisation, a political alliance set up by the UK, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands to guard against a resurgent threat by Germany or the Soviets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe language is much stronger than that in Article 5. When the US negotiated Nato they decided it was so strong it would not get through the Senate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But he added that he wondered what \u201ccredibility\u201d Article 42.7 would have if Greenland was to be absorbed into the US.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCan you imagine Romania coming to the rescue of Greenland? The European response has got to be political. They have to lean into the notion of protection of Greenland\u2019s sovereignty and the integrity of sovereignty to the US.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964fee28f08c4c8a07ec06e#block-6964fee28f08c4c8a07ec06e\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Let\u2019s get a little more on that EU treaty article on mutual assistance mentioned by EU defence commissioner Kubilius in the context of Greenland (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6964ed2b8f086f5496829179#block-6964ed2b8f086f5496829179\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">13:48<\/a>)\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964fea08f088556bc3afed6#block-6964fea08f088556bc3afed6\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Trump &#8216;doing right things for Nato&#8217; by encouraging higher defence spending, Rutte says, as he avoids criticising US president over Greenland<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Nato\u2019s general secretary Mark Rutte has just been asked about Trump\u2019s comments on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/greenland\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Greenland<\/a> on his visit to Croatia, where he met the country\u2019s prime minister Andrej Plenkovi\u0107.<\/p>\n<p>Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte attends a joint press conference with Croatian prime minister Plenkovic after their meeting in Zagreb, Croatia. Photograph: Antonio Bat\/EPA<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Rutte responded to criticism of his charm offensive and repeated flattery of Trump (most famously with <a href=\"https:\/\/content.guardianapis.com\/atom\/media\/782599f0-642d-4d52-9471-3d6b5ee09be7\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">his \u2018daddy\u2019 comment<\/a>), as he insisted that \u201cI believe that Donald Trump is doing the right things for Nato by encouraging us all to spend more\u201d in Europe to match the US spending.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said he was \u201cabsolutely convinced\u201d that \u201cwithout <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Donald Trump<\/a> we would never have had that result at the summit in The Hague\u201d last year, increasing the GDP defence threshold to 5%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cSo when I praise somebody, it is based on facts, and I believe the facts are there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He did not address the specific question on Trump\u2019s comments on Greenland, but said he welcomed the other allies\u2019 discussion on \u201ccome together and work together\u201d and get more involved in the Artic and the High North.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou have seen some announcements by the Brits and the Germans today, we are working now together to see how we can basically [come] together as an alliance, including our seven members, allies bordering on the high north, on the Arctic, to work together to indeed build that next step, which is crucial.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He also said that Denmark was \u201calready speeding up their investments when it comes to defence,\u201d including \u201cunique capabilities to defend territories like Greenland.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cSo we are really working together here. And my only worry is, how do we stay safe, against the Russians, against any other adversary \u2013 look at what China is doing in rapidly building up its own armed forces, but also North Koreans and others who might wish us ill or not well, at least. Therefore that\u2019s my role, and I think we will get there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964f7708f088556bc3afe94#block-6964f7708f088556bc3afe94\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a008.33 EST<\/p>\n<p>European Commission president to sign controversial Mercosur deal on Saturday<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Lisa-OCarroll-byline-004.jpg\" alt=\"Lisa O\u2019Carroll\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/>Lisa O\u2019Carroll<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is to travel to Paraguay on Saturday to sign the controversial Mercosur trade deal with a group of Latin American countries this Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Farmers are seen during an action in Carquefou, near Nantes, western France. Photograph: Sebastien Salom-Gomis\/SIPA\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay was adopted by member states on Friday, ending 25 years of negotiation and months of wrangling with member states over the final compromises.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">However, farmers protests continued over the weekend with thousands in Ireland and France protesting on Saturday claiming the EU was guilty of a \u201csell out\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Farmers in beef and grain sectors fear Europe will be flooded by cheap and substandard meat and cheaper ethanol used in petrol, something the European Commission has consistently said will not be the case.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Brussels argues that it will run extra import checks to ensure compliance with EU standards and imports of beef will be capped at 99,000 tonnes, a fraction of the near 7m tonnes of beef produced every year in the bloc.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Commission trade spokesperson Olof Gill confirmed that the Mercosur deal could be signed off before ratification by the European parliament.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">However, MEPs from countries that voted against the deal including France, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/poland\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Poland<\/a> and Ireland are likely to attempt to block it in parliament.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe European Parliament will have the possibility to vote on this, and the European Parliament decides the timing for this. Here in the Commission, we are convinced that this deal is a very, very strong, that it\u2019s very much a essential for our European interests.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The timing of the vote will be up to parliament, which has for example, still to ratify the US tariff deal agreed last August.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"> This post was amended on 12 January 2026. The EU produces nearly 7m tonnes of beef a year, not 7bn tonnes as stated in an earlier version.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964f4978f08c4c8a07ec00d#block-6964f4978f08c4c8a07ec00d\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a012.53 EST<\/p>\n<p>US attempt to take Greenland by force would mark end of Nato, EU defence commissioner warns<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Meanwhile, EU defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius warned that it would be the end of Nato if the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d#block-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">US took Greenland by force<\/a>, as he stressed that EU members would also be under obligation to come to Denmark\u2019s assistance, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cI agree with the Danish prime minister that it will be the end of Nato, but also among people it will be also very, very negative,\u201d commissioner Kubilius told Reuters at a security conference in Sweden.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Kubilius also said that the European Union Treaty article 42.7 obliged member states to come to Denmark\u2019s assistance if faced with military aggression.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cIt will depend on very much on Denmark, how they will react, what will be their position, but definitely there is such an obligation of member states to come for mutual assistance if another member state is facing military aggression,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964ed2b8f086f5496829179#block-6964ed2b8f086f5496829179\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a008.05 EST<\/p>\n<p>US ownership of Greenland &#8216;psychologically important for me,&#8217; Trump says<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">US president Donald Trump also spoke further about Greenland in his New York Times interview <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/11\/us\/politics\/trump-interview-transcript.html\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">published<\/a> on Sunday ($).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he insisted that he wanted to resolve the issue \u201cproperly\u201d with the US taking ownership of the territory as it was \u201cpsychologically needed for success,\u201d saying that \u201cownership gives you things and elements that you can\u2019t get from just signing a document, that you can have a base.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He said it was \u201cpsychologically important for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow, maybe another president would feel differently, but so far I\u2019ve been right about everything.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">When asked if he would move to deploy US troops to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/greenland\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Greenland<\/a>, he said he \u201cdidn\u2019t think it\u2019d be necessary,\u201d although earlier he also said he \u201cwould have more\u201d troops there if needed.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964e5e18f086f549682913f#block-6964e5e18f086f549682913f\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a007.21 EST<\/p>\n<p>Swiss bar owner formally remanded in custody for three months &#8211; media reports<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">We are also getting a line from Switzerland, with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.srf.ch\/news\/schweiz\/katastrophe-in-crans-montana-barbesitzer-von-le-constellation-offiziell-in-untersuchungshaft\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SRF News<\/a> reporting that the co-owner of the La Consellation bar has been formally remanded in custody over the New Year\u2019s Eve fire that killed 40 people.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The news, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.24heures.ch\/direct-crans-montana-jacques-moretti-officiellement-en-detention-preventive-173835695615#84232c2c-b8d7-480b-a620-3d8c3f4295fc\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">confirmed by <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.letemps.ch\/suisse\/en-direct-crans-montana-une-journee-de-deuil-national-inedite-pour-le-pays\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">other Swiss media<\/a>, says that he has been placed in custody for three months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He was first detained on Friday, but the arrest had to be formally confirmed by the court, and this is what is reported today.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964e0438f086f549682910b#block-6964e0438f086f549682910b\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Greenland should be offered EU membership to fend off Trump&#8217;s interest, former German vice-chancellor says<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Former German vice-chancellor Robert Habeck has suggested that Greenland should be offered an EU membership to fend off Donald Trump\u2019s interest in the territory.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Writing for the Guardian with Andreas Raspotnik, the director of the High North Center for Business and Governance at Nord University, Habeck said:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs debates increasingly revolve around acquiring \u2013 or even occupying \u2013 the island, Europe\u2019s lack of a counterproposal is striking.<\/p>\n<p>This should be the moment to explicitly offer EU membership to Greenland, and by extension to the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway \u2013 an idea <a href=\"https:\/\/www.europarl.europa.eu\/doceo\/document\/A-10-2025-0229_EN.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">recently raised<\/a> in the European parliament. <\/p>\n<p>Greenland withdrew from the then European Communities in 1985 after gaining home rule from Denmark in 1979, but in an entirely altered world, attitudes have changed and Europe should respond accordingly. <\/p>\n<p>A proposal to Greenland could be pragmatic and phased: EU membership by 2026 or 2027; early agreement on key issues such as fisheries, with renegotiation after five to 10 years; a substantial investment package targeting infrastructure and sustainable extraction of critical raw materials; and a clear commitment to preserving Inuit culture, language and local decision-making.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964d2f48f08c4c8a07ebe73#block-6964d2f48f08c4c8a07ebe73\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Danish meeting with US senators &#8216;good news,&#8217; opportunity to &#8216;get some truths on table,&#8217; lawmaker says<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Chair of the Danish parliament\u2019s Greenland committee, Aaja Chemnitz, told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dr.dk\/nyheder\/indland\/groenland\/live-storpolitisk-drama-mellem-usa-danmark-og-groenland?focusId=10836970\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">reporters<\/a> that the planned meeting with US senators was \u201cgood news\u201d as it was \u201cimportant for us to use all the diplomatic connections we have at our disposal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Chemnitz, a Greenlandic politician sitting in the Danish parliament, said there were \u201clots\u201d of incorrect claims about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/greenland\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Greenland<\/a>, and \u201cit is absolutely crucial we get some truths on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But she declined to give more information about the meeting, saying the details are yet to be fully decided.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964cdd58f08c4c8a07ebe50#block-6964cdd58f08c4c8a07ebe50\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Two key meetings on Greenland&#8217;s relations with Denmark, US coming up this week<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Miranda_Bryant_Next_Gen.png\" alt=\"Miranda Bryant\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/>Miranda Bryant<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Nordic correspondent<br \/>in Nuuk, Greenland<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In a week that could prove crucial to the future of Greenland, relations between the US, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/weather\/denmark\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Denmark<\/a> and Greenland, and the very existence of Nato, there are now two key meetings coming up.<\/p>\n<p>Nuuk, Greenland this morning Photograph: Miranda Bryant\/The Guardian<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">On Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, Lars L\u00f8kke Rasmussen and Vivian Motzfeldt, are due to meet the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, in Washington.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And it was announced last night that a group of US senators, including Alaska senator, Lisa Murkowski, are to visit Copenhagen to meet politicians from the Danish parliament\u2019s Greenland committee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Murkowski <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/lisamurkowski\/status\/2009655587806834821\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow\">wrote on X<\/a> on Friday:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have a lot to do in 2026. Taking Greenland shouldn\u2019t be on that list.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Meanwhile, Donald Trump has continued to pile pressure on the situation, saying last night that \u201cGreenland should make an agreement\u201d to avoid Russia or China taking over. He also inaccurately claimed that Greenland\u2019s defence consists of two dog sleds (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d#block-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">9:41<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964c3ca8f0816b5c3d0a0f1#block-6964c3ca8f0816b5c3d0a0f1\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a009.16 EST<\/p>\n<p>China criticises Trump&#8217;s Greenland interest<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Somewhat unexpectedly, China criticised the US for its interest in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/greenland\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Greenland<\/a>, urging it not to use other countries as an excuse to pursue its own interests, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThe Arctic concerns the overall interests of the international community,\u201d Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">She said China\u2019s activities in the Arctic aim to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Mao also called for respecting the rights and freedoms of all nations to conduct lawful activities in the Arctic.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964bdd48f081b74a25d1199#block-6964bdd48f081b74a25d1199\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>What can the EU and Nato do to stop Trump from trying to claim Greenland?<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Jon_Henley,_L.png\" alt=\"Jon Henley\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/>Jon Henley<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Europe correspondent<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">European leaders have strongly defended sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/greenland\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Greenland<\/a> and Denmark to decide on matters concerning them, but there is as yet no clear strategy on how to deter Trump \u2013 or respond if he does make a move.<\/p>\n<p>People protest under the slogan, &#8220;Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people&#8221;, in Nuuk in March last year. Photograph: Christian Klindt Soelbeck\/Reuters<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Jon Henley has looked at some of the options, ranging from diplomacy and raising Arctic security through economic sanctions, fast-tracked investment to the deployment of troops.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964b57d8f081b74a25d1164#block-6964b57d8f081b74a25d1164\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a>Morning opening: &#8216;If it affects Nato, it affects Nato&#8217;<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768315755_156_Jakub_Krupa.png\" alt=\"Jakub Krupa\" class=\"dcr-lysqes\"\/>Jakub Krupa<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">US president <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Donald Trump<\/a> has repeated overnight that the US would take Greenland \u201cone way or the other,\u201d as he mocked its defence as \u201ctwo dog sleds,\u201d and stressed that otherwise Russia and China would move to claim the territory.<\/p>\n<p>US president Donald Trump speaks with members of the media aboard Air Force One en route from Florida to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Photograph: Nathan Howard\/Reuters<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said that he was open to making a deal on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/greenland\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Greenland<\/a> in principle, but insisted \u201cone way or the other, we are going to have Greenland.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cIf we don\u2019t take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I\u2019m not letting that happen,\u201d he said, despite no obvious interest in taking complete control of the territory from either of the two countries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Trump also mocked Greenland\u2019s defence saying it consists of \u201ctwo dog sleds,\u201d facing Russian and Chinese \u201cdestroyers and submarines all over the place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Asked about the potential impact on Nato, Trump shrugged it off, saying:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf it affects Nato, it affects Nato. But you know, they need us much more than we need them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">He also claimed that he \u201csaved\u201d the alliance by pushing for increased defence spending, and said he was working on ending the Russian invasion of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/ukraine\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ukraine<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">(Our usual sympathies go to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/nov\/27\/denmark-sets-up-night-watch-to-monitor-trump-since-greenland-row\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the Danish Trump night watcher<\/a>, who had to watch this and report back to the country\u2019s authorities.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">His comments came hours after the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, warned that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/weather\/denmark\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Denmark<\/a> is at a \u201cfateful moment\u201d amid Trump\u2019s threats to take over Greenland, accusing the US of potentially turning its back on Nato.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWe are at a crossroads, and this is a fateful moment,\u201d said Frederiksen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cWhat is at stake is bigger than what the eye can see, because if what we experience from the Americans is that they are actually turning their backs on the western alliance, that they are turning their backs on our Nato cooperation by threatening an ally, which we have not experienced before, then everything will stop.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I will bring you all the latest on this as we slowly build up to US state secretary Marco Rubio\u2019s meeting with Danish and Greenlandic ministers on Wednesday. I will also look at the latest in Ukraine and across the continent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It\u2019s Monday, 12 January 2026, it\u2019s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Greenland\u2019s security \u2018firmly\u2019 belongs in Nato, says prime minister, after latest Trump threats to take over territory \u2013 as it happened&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/live\/2026\/jan\/12\/greenland-denmark-us-donald-trump-ukraine-russia-europe-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&amp;page=with%3Ablock-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d#block-6964ad5b8f0816b5c3d0a05d\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-1mulgdf\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Updated at\u00a006.47 EST<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Greenland&#8217;s security &#8216;firmly&#8217; belongs in Nato, territory&#8217;s prime minister says Greenland\u2019s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also went a&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":367509,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[49,50,51,47,52,48],"class_list":["post-367508","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=367508"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367508\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/367509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=367508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=367508"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=367508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}