Keir Starmer says the UK stands with Denmark amid growing alarm that Donald Trump could be set to invade Greenland.
The unpredictable US President said the US needs the Danish territory for its national security, prompting a furious response. The White House has long hinted it is eyeing up the island.
Speaking to reporters this morning, Mr Starmer said his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen was “right” to refuse the US president any claim to the territory. He said: “Well, I stand with her, and she’s right about the future of Greenland.”
The PM continued: “Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark are to decide the future of Greenland, and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark is a close ally in Europe, it is a Nato ally, and it’s very important the future of Greenland is, as I say, for the Kingdom of Denmark, and for Greenland, and only for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.”
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PA)
On Sunday the US President said: “It’s so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.”
Asked what the US actions in Venezuela could mean for Greenland, Trump said: “They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don’t know.”
Danish Prime Minister Ms Frederiksen in a statement said that Trump has “no right to annex” the territory. She also reminded the President that Denmark already provides the United States – a fellow member of NATO – broad access to Greenland through existing security agreements.
She said: “I would therefore strongly urge the U.S. to stop threatening a historically close ally and another country and people who have made it very clear that they are not for sale.” Denmark has also signed a European Union statement underscoring that “the right of the Venezuelan people to determine their future must be respected”.
Earlier Home Office minister Mike Tapp refused to call for Trump not to invade Greenland. He told Sky News: “When it comes to Greenland, Denmark and the United States, these are both NATO members, and I’m really proud that NATO has used discussion over division… I can’t see this being any different to any previous conversations that need to be had between NATO members.”
Sky News host Sophy Ridge told Mr Tapp: “I find it extraordinary that you can’t just say flat out that Donald Trump needs to not intervene on Greenland. I find that extraordinary.”
Mr Tapp said: “The Venezuela issue is very different to the Greenland issue, but that’s for them to have those discussions, it’s for NATO to to to have that solid anchor to ensure that there is no, division here.”
Pressed yet again on whether the UK Government has an opinion, Mr Tapp said: “Well, this isn’t for for me to sit here and talk about hypotheticals.” He went on: “It’s the end results that matter, and working together with our allies and sticking to international laws is what we stand for as a country.”
Following Mr Tapp’s appearance, former Tory defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace posted on X: “We must now look to our Danish friends and fellow NATO allies. We must make it very clear to the Trump administration that threats to them is unacceptable. No more weak Government Ministers saying nothing on media rounds.”