Europe has told Donald Trump to back off Greenland as leaders prepare to unveil new security guarantees for Ukraine including a ‘binding commitment’ to protect the country from future Russia attacks.
Representatives of 35 countries, including 27 heads of state, are gathering in the French capital in a meeting which aims to show the ‘alignment’ between Washington, Kyiv and European allies.
But prospects for progress are uncertain, with the Trump administration’s focus shifting to Venezuela while suggestions of a Greenland takeover are causing tension with Europe.
In a statement, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark said Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations.
Follow the latest updates here
‘Greenland belongs to its people’ Full statement released by European leaders
Here’s the full statement released the leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain as they underlined their support for Denmark after Donald Trump voiced designs on the country’s autonomous Arctic territory of Greenland:
The statement was released as Coalition of the Willing leaders meet in Paris for Ukraine peace talks with the US represented by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.
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. Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.
Trump says the US ‘needs’ Greenland for Arctic security. Here’s why
US Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland in March last year
Increasing international tensions, global warming and the changing world economy have put Greenland at the heart of the debate over global trade and security, and Donald Trump wants to make sure his country controls this mineral-rich country that guards the Arctic and North Atlantic approaches to North America.
Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark, a longtime US ally that has rejected Trump’s overtures. Greenland’s own government also opposes US designs on the island, saying the people of Greenland will decide their own future.
Here’s why Greenland is strategically important to Arctic security:
Greenland sits off the northeastern coast of Canada, with more than two-thirds of its territory lying within the Arctic Circle. That has made it crucial to the defense of North America since World War II, when the U.S. occupied Greenland to ensure it didn’t fall into the hands of Nazi Germany and to protect crucial North Atlantic shipping lanes
Following the Cold War, the Arctic was largely an area of international cooperation. But climate change is thinning the Arctic ice, promising to create a northwest passage for international trade and reigniting competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the region’s mineral resources
Greenland is also a rich source of the so-called rare earth minerals that are a key component of mobile phones, computers, batteries and other hi-tech gadgets that are expected to power the world’s economy in the coming decades
Zelensky arrives in Paris for crunch Ukraine talks
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has been greeted by President Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
Mr Zelensky will hope to seal security guarantees for Ukraine in the latest round of Coalition of the Willing talks.
In his evening address to the nation on Sunday, Zelensky said the meetings should bring closer efforts to end the war.
‘Ukraine will prepare for both scenarios: diplomacy, which we are pursuing, or further active defence if pressure from partners on Russia proves insufficient. Ukraine wants peace,’ he said.
Security guarantees will see Europe make ‘binding commitments’ to Ukraine
Security guarantees for Ukraine will include ‘binding commitments’ to support the country ‘in the case of a future armed attack by Russia in order to restore peace’, according to a draft statement from the Coalition of Willing of Kyiv’s allies
‘These commitments may include the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, adoption of additional sanctions,’ said the draft, seen by Reuters, which still needs approval at a summit of the coalition’s leaders in Paris later in the day.
Talks to bring the almost four-year conflict to an end have accelerated since November.
However, there have been few signals Russia would be willing to accept the current proposals on the table, with the issue of territory remaining a key obstacle to negotiations and fighting between the two sides showing no signs of abating.
Until now, many of the military pledges made as part of the coalition’s planning process have been quite vague, according to officials and diplomats.
European leaders tell Trump to back off Greenland in new statement
Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark said in a joint statement on Tuesday.
The statement released as Coalition of the Willing nations meet in Paris makes clear the Arctic security is a ‘key priority’ for Europe.
It comes as the US raises suggestions it could takeover Greenland to bolster its own national security.
The heads of state attending Paris talks to discuss Kyiv security guarantees
Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney greet one another in Paris
Representatives of 35 countries, including 27 heads of state, will gather in Paris.
The French presidency said the meeting aims to show the ‘alignment’ between Washington, Kyiv and European allies on security guarantees for Ukraine.
Top-ranking officials in Paris today include:
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Canada’s Mark Carney
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte are also expected to attend the meeting
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, are representing Washington
Macron hopes to outline ‘concrete’ commitments to protect Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron had expressed optimism about the latest gathering of so-called ‘Coalition of the Willing’ nations.
For months, they have been exploring how to deter any future Russian aggression should it agree to stop fighting Ukraine.
In a December 31 address, Macron said that allies would ‘make concrete commitments’ at the summit ‘to protect Ukraine and ensure a just and lasting peace.’
Macron’s office said Tuesday’s meeting will gather an unprecedented number of officials attending in person, with 35 participants including 27 heads of state and government.
Participants seek concrete outcomes on five key priorities once fighting ends: ways to monitor a ceasefire; support for Ukraine’s armed forces; deployment of a multinational force on land, at sea and in the air; commitments in case there’s another Russian aggression; and long-term defense cooperation with Ukraine.
Coalition of the Willing to meet in Paris to discuss end of Ukraine-Russia war
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Ukraine talks in Paris as allies look to push ahead with plans to end the war with Russia.
The summit of the group of Ukraine supporters dubbed the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ is the latest of several meetings planned for the new year as diplomatic efforts to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II have gained pace in recent weeks.
Representatives of 35 countries, including 27 heads of state, will gather in Paris, with the French presidency saying the meeting aims to show the ‘alignment’ between Washington, Kyiv and European allies on security guarantees for Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner will attend on behalf of the US.
Stick with us for the latest updates from Paris as we bring you the latest on the talks.