Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has issued a stark warning that the NATO alliance would be effectively terminated if the United States were to launch a military attack on Greenland. This grave statement follows renewed assertions from former US President Donald Trump that America "does need Greenland".
Starmer Stands Firm with Denmark
The warning from Copenhagen has found strong support from UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. In an interview with Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby on Tuesday 6 January 2026, Starmer left no room for ambiguity regarding the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
"Let me be really clear about Greenland - the future for Greenland is for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark," Sir Keir stated. He emphasised the close ties between the nations, describing Denmark as a "close European ally, a close NATO ally." He concluded, "I stand with her. She's right about the future of Greenland."
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper later reinforced this position to the House of Commons, declaring the future of Greenland is a matter solely for its people and Denmark.
A Pattern of Aggression Following Venezuela Action
The threats against Greenland come hot on the heels of dramatic US military action in Venezuela. On Saturday, strikes ordered by Trump resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Trump has since stated the US intends to "run" Venezuela until a "proper transition" can occur.
This escalation has triggered international condemnation. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern that "the rules of international law have not been respected." A united front of all EU nations—except Hungary—along with Canada and Norway, called for international law to be upheld.
Contrasting UK Responses to International Law
While the UK government has been unequivocal on Greenland, its response to the Venezuela intervention has been more measured. Sir Keir, while affirming his lifelong advocacy for international law, stopped short of explicitly stating the US had broken it, saying it was "for the US to set out that justification."
This reticence was mirrored by Home Office minister Mike Tapp, who repeatedly declined to warn Trump against military action in Greenland during an interview, describing the question as a "hypothetical." He noted that both the US and Denmark were NATO members, implying the alliance itself should be the forum for discussion.
Prime Minister Frederiksen's warning, however, suggests such discussions may be futile if aggression occurs. "If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops," she said on Monday, linking the security framework that has endured since the Second World War directly to the respect of alliance boundaries.
