Political leaders from Denmark, Sweden and Germany on Thursday sharply denounced the "threatening remarks" recently made by the United States regarding Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
Rasmus Jarlov, chairman of the Danish Parliament's Defense Committee, voiced blunt criticism of the threats, saying in an interview that any military conflict over Greenland would be "the dumbest war in history."
He strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks about taking control of Greenland, calling them "the most illegitimate land claim in modern history."
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at the country's annual security conference that Sweden holds a highly critical view of recent U.S. actions on Venezuela and its approach to international law.
He added that Sweden's criticism would be even stronger regarding U.S. remarks targeting Greenland and Denmark. Kristersson warned that the rules-based international order is facing its most serious challenge in decades.
He stressed that Denmark, as a long-standing U.S. ally, should be met with respect rather than provocative rhetoric over the Greenland issue.
German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil said the United States must respect international law and national sovereignty, stressing that "it is solely up to Denmark and Greenland to decide about Greenland's future."
Speaking before his departure for Washington D.C. to attend a G7 finance ministers' meeting, Klingbeil said principles such as sovereignty and territorial integrity apply to all countries, "including the United States."
He added that NATO allies should strengthen Arctic security together rather than confront one another.
Meanwhile, responding to reports that Britain may deploy troops to Greenland, UK Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander told Sky News that she did not rule out the possibility, describing it "business as usual" among NATO allies.
European leaders condemn US "threatening rhetoric" over Greenland
European leaders condemn US "threatening rhetoric" over Greenland
