Keir Starmer points joint ‘stepping up’ assertion after Trump’s Greenland warning
Sir Keir Starmer and other European allies in NATO have issued a statement over Greenland after Donald Trump’s “very serious” warning about taking the country.
The UK Prime Minister, French President Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor Merz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Tusk of Poland, Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain, Prime and Prime Minister Frederiksen of Denmark on Greenland are all included in the statement.
The defiant message to the US President says European Allies are “stepping up” security in the area after Trump’s claims of Russia and China operating vessels in the area.
The European leaders warned Trump that Greenland is part of NATO and the only the country, its people and Denmark can make decisions.
(Image: Getty Images)
The statement read: “Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security.
“NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries. The Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – is part of NATO.
“Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them.
“The United States is an essential partner in this endeavour, as a NATO ally and through the defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951.
(Image: Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima)
“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”
It comes after Trump stated he had no timeline for taking action but stated to NBC News that it was very important for “national security”.
He said: “We need Greenland for national security, and that includes Europe.
“You know I’m very loyal to Europe. We need it for national security, right now.
“I think that Greenland is very important for the national security of the United States, Europe, and other parts of the free world.”
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