Greenland maintains the prerogative to determine its own destiny, as emphasized by the EU.
In the ongoing debates over Greenland's future, Kaja Kallas, former Prime Minister of Estonia and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, has voiced her support for the autonomous Danish territory's self-determination. Speaking before Eurodeputies, she asserted that the people of Greenland should decide their own destiny, in line with principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and border sanctity.
This stance emerges as a response to U.S. President Donald Trump's past assertions of interest in acquiring Greenland and recent military activity, which Greenlanders perceive as encroaching. Kallas reaffirmed the EU's backing of Greenland and Denmark, emphasizing the importance of their collective input in decision-making processes.
The Arctic region has gained new geostrategic relevance with the increase in military activity. The EU perceives this as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and changes in global security dynamics. The EU recognizes potential threats such as dual-use technologies, submarine cable vulnerabilities, and economic competition, and is working to counterbalance these risks through collaborative initiatives.
In addition, the EU is Greenland's largest international partner, contributing significantly to its governmental budget through programs focused on sustainable raw materials, green energy, and education. In 2024, the EU opened a permanent office in Nuuk to deepen collaboration on trade, investment, and security.
The EU also espouses adherence to UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) for Arctic maritime boundaries, aiming to maintain a rules-based order and counter unilateral actions. As tensions rise amongst U.S., China, and Russia in the Arctic, the EU positions itself as a stabilizing force, promoting a "summit of international law" in Nuuk with Canada and allies to reinforce solidarity, and expanding EU-Greenland cooperation on critical minerals and connectivity projects. Military collaboration remains limited, with a focus on submarine infrastructure protection and maritime surveillance.
- Kaja Kallas, having served as Prime Minister of Estonia and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, warned the general news outlets about the potential threats to Greenland's integrity due to the U.S. President's past interest in acquiring Greenland and recent military activity.
- In the prime sphere of politics, Kallas expressed support for Greenland's self-determination, emphasizing the importance of Greenland's autonomy in line with principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and border sanctity.
- As a response to Kallas' statements, the EU has reaffirmed its backing of Greenland and Denmark, taking a firm stance on policy-and-legislation matters concerning Greenland's autonomy.
- In the face of increasing military activity in the Arctic, the EU, alongside Greenland, is working to counterbalance potential threats arising from dual-use technologies, submarine cable vulnerabilities, and economic competition.
- Recognizing the strategic importance of Greenland in the war-and-conflicts context, the EU has expanded its collaboration with Greenland through projects focusing on critical minerals and connectivity, positioning itself as a stabilizing force in the Arctic region.
