Denmark Warns of NATO’s Collapse if US Moves to Seize Greenland

The aftermath of the US military operation that led to the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has now triggered deep concern in Denmark and Greenland, as fears grow over the future of the mineral-rich and strategically vital Arctic territory.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a stark warning, saying that NATO would effectively cease to exist if the United States attempted to seize Greenland.

In an interview with Danish broadcaster TV 2 on Monday, Frederiksen said that any US military move against Greenland—an autonomous territory of Denmark and a NATO member—would mark the end of the post-World War II global security order. “If the United States attacks a NATO country, then there will be no NATO left,” she said.

Her comments came after President Donald Trump reportedly set a 20-day timeline following the Venezuela operation to revisit the issue of bringing Greenland under US control.

Trump has long expressed interest in asserting US authority over Greenland, citing its strategic importance, and has not ruled out the use of military force. Speaking to reporters while traveling from Florida to Washington, Trump said, “In 20 days, we’ll talk about Greenland.”

The remarks prompted sharp criticism from both Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. Trump has argued that Greenland is vital to US national security and claimed that Denmark is incapable of guaranteeing the island’s defense.

Mocking Denmark’s military capabilities in the Arctic, Trump said its weapons stockpile amounted to little more than “another dog-sled.” Danish security experts have dismissed the claim as unfounded, saying assertions about increased Russian or Chinese naval presence near Greenland are not supported by facts.

At a press conference on Monday, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen urged citizens to remain calm and united, stressing that Greenland should not be compared to Venezuela. He said fears of an overnight takeover were unrealistic and emphasized Greenland’s continued commitment to international cooperation.

Greenland hosts the Pituffik Space Base, a major US military installation operating under a 1951 defense agreement. The base plays a key role in missile warning systems and space surveillance. In addition, Denmark’s parliament last year passed legislation allowing the establishment of US military bases on Danish soil.

However, concerns have intensified after a Greenland map—colored in the US flag and marked “Soon”—was posted on social media by Katie Miller, a former Trump administration official. Taken together, these developments have raised alarm across Europe, with many warning that NATO’s unity now faces one of its most serious tests in decades.