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Seven European governments have issued a rare joint statement backing Denmark’s authority and Greenlanders’ choice over the island’s future, following new signals from Washington. The move underscores the UN Charter and Arctic stability, stressing that decisions about Greenland rest with Copenhagen and the people of the island.

This was reported by the Infohub.kz news agency.

What the joint statement says

France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark released a coordinated declaration on 6 January 2026, emphasizing sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders in line with international law. The seven countries said security in the Arctic must be safeguarded through multilateral cooperation rather than unilateral pressure.

The statement comes after renewed U.S. interest in Greenland’s strategic value, highlighting Europe’s focus on preserving regional stability and the existing security architecture.

Responses from Copenhagen and Nuuk

Denmark’s ambassador to Washington, Jesper Møller Sørensen, welcomed the reaffirmation of alliance ties with the United States but said Copenhagen expects full respect for the Kingdom’s territorial integrity.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen criticized a widely shared image of Greenland colored in the U.S. flag as a “sign of disrespect,” while noting there was “no reason for panic.”

Signals from Washington

Over the weekend, former U.S. President Donald Trump cited national security priorities in the Arctic—referencing recent military actions elsewhere—as he stressed Greenland’s strategic importance. Around the same time, the spouse of White House official Stephen Miller posted an image on X of Greenland in U.S. colors with the caption “Soon.”

Politico, citing Washington sources, reported that the United States is exploring ways to expand its influence in Greenland through the end of 2026. Analysts told the outlet the effort could target political balance on the island and potentially propose a “free association” arrangement. The Economist reported such a model could include customs concessions in exchange for broader freedom of movement for U.S. forces on Greenlandic territory.

Why it matters

Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953 and gained expanded self-rule in 2009, retaining broad internal autonomy while remaining part of the Kingdom of Denmark. As Russia and China increase their Arctic activity—and new sea routes and resource prospects draw attention—the island’s strategic relevance has grown.

Against this backdrop, the seven-nation European message is intended as a clear signal in favor of international law, border integrity and Arctic stability, while affirming that any change to Greenland’s status is a decision for Denmark and Greenlanders themselves.