Poland warns Greenland tensions risk NATO precedent

(MENAFN) Poland’s foreign minister warns that escalating tensions surrounding Greenland risk creating a troubling precedent for NATO and broader European security, as pressure continues from US President Donald Trump to take control of the Arctic territory, according to reports.

In comments cited by reports, Radoslaw Sikorski says he is “afraid” of the wider consequences of the situation, comparing it to earlier disputes that emerged within the NATO alliance.

Greenland, which operates as a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has grown in strategic importance due to its Arctic position, access to rare earth minerals, and location near major transatlantic shipping corridors. Trump’s repeated assertions that the United States must acquire the island trigger strong opposition across Europe.

Sikorski points to remarks by Denmark’s prime minister, who warns that any forced takeover of Greenland would effectively undermine NATO’s credibility as an alliance. Drawing on Poland’s historical experience of partitions and foreign rule, he cautions against accepting the use of pressure or coercion to alter borders.

“A world where larger countries can seize territory from their neighbors with impunity is a world where people freeze in their homes in winter and can be bombed at any moment,” he says.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signs a declaration expressing solidarity with Copenhagen.

Sikorski underlines that Greenland’s future must be determined democratically by its population, in accordance with Denmark’s constitutional framework.

While reports indicate that some European states discuss expanding their military footprint in the Arctic, Sikorski says Poland does not plan to deploy troops to Greenland. He explains that national law requires presidential consent for such missions and notes that the current governing coalition does not have the agreement needed to pursue that option.

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