Arctic security remains key priority for EU: European Commission President

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday stressed that arctic security remains a key priority for the European Union (EU) after U.S. President Donald Trump renewed his call to take over Greenland, provoking strong reactions from Denmark and the EU.

Following disputes earlier this year over Greenland, which is an autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty, Trump has caused further outrage after announcing the appointment of a U.S. special envoy to Greenland late on Sunday, renewing diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Denmark.

In response, Von der Leyen stressed that territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law, which are essential not only for the European Union, but for nations around the world.

Both she and European Council President Antonio Costa reiterated that the EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Monday that they expect respect for the Kingdom of Denmark's territorial integrity from the U.S. side.

"We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again. You cannot annex other countries. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the USA should not take over Greenland. We expect respect for our common territorial integrity," the two leaders said in a joint statement.

Since taking office in January this year, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control of Greenland, stating he would not rule out the use of "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal.

In announcing his appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry in the newly-created special envoy position, Trump said the governor was someone who understands how essential Greenland is to U.S. national security.

Landry wrote on the social media platform X that it was an honor to serve in the role "to make Greenland part of the USA."

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Denmark would summon U.S. Ambassador Ken Howery for talks, demanding respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, which includes Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

"I am upset, especially about the envoy's statements about making Greenland part of the United States. We find that completely unacceptable," Rasmussen told Danish broadcaster TV 2.

Greenland, a former Danish colony, became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It was granted home rule in 1979, expanding its autonomy, though Denmark retains authority over foreign affairs and defense.

Arctic security remains key priority for EU: European Commission President

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday sent a message to the United Nations, condemning the U.S. for escalating extremely serious aggressions that not only affect Venezuela but also threaten the stability of the entire region and the international system as a whole.

In the letter, Maduro warned that the U.S. so-called anti-drug operation "Operation Southern Spear" in the Western Hemisphere constitutes a direct threat of the use of force prohibited by the UN Charter.

Recalling that the U.S. has carried out 28 missile strikes against civilian vessels between September 2 and December 18 in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, which led to more than 100 deaths, Maduro characterized these fatalities as "extrajudicial executions." He stated that these acts violate the right to life and multiple international conventions, warning that these are not isolated incidents but rather a systematic practice of lethal force outside any international legal framework.

While blasting the U.S. for "kidnapping and robbing" two ships carrying some 4 million barrels of oil, Maduro rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's order to impose a "complete maritime blockade" on tankers transporting Venezuelan energy, calling these actions as acts of "piracy."

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil read the letter on state television from the Venezuelan foreign ministry headquarters on Monday.

As scheduled, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on the situation in Venezuela on Tuesday.

Maduro condemns U.S. piracy actions in letter to UN