Former Slovenian President Danilo Turk has called on European nations to unite politically and militarily to support Greenland amid increased U.S. interest in the region.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Thursday, Turk said that Europe needs to reassess its position on Greenland amid rising geopolitical interest, particularly from the United States.
He emphasized the importance of a coherent European voice that could influence U.S. decision-making, concerning Greenland's future political and security status.
"My guess would be that Greenland will remain part of Denmark. Europe is right now frightened and confused. There was a time when Europe was clearly aligned with the United States on everything. But now I think we Europe will have to develop its own views with regard to Greenland," said Turk.
"On the political side, I think if European countries come with a unified front against this adventure on Greenland, the Americans will have to think about it seriously. And there will be a debate in the United States as well. But then on the military side, the United States has its military bases in Greenland. I mean, this is very inhospitable terrain, so the military base is not very large. And of course it has been quite specialized. And now is there a need for something more or something different in Greenland? I don't know. Is there a need to do some face-saving? We have started something related to the security of Greenland and security of the Western world. So we'll put a little more military capacity on Greenland and everything will be fine. That sort of outcome is also not excluded. But it is too early to say which way the situation will turn," he added.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland and has recently ramped up his threat.
Former Slovenian president urges European unity on Greenland
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
