Donald Trump issues blunt warning to Keir Starmer over NATO | Politics | News
Donald Trump has issued a clear warning that he could choose to end his support for the NATO military alliance as he insists the US “needs” to own Greenland. The US president said “there may be a choice” between preserving the alliance and seizing territory owned by NATO member Denmark.
Emphasizing that he was serious about his plans to own the island, he continued: “I think it’s psychologically necessary for success. Whether you’re talking about a lease or an agreement, ownership gives you something you can’t do. Ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get by just signing a document.”
The US already has a military base in Greenland and has the right to expand its presence there under a treaty signed in 1951, but Mr Trump insisted America should own the island outright for “national protection”.
US officials suggested that Greenland might be next after the military operation in Venezuela last week.
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a US invasion of Greenland would mean the end of NATO, the military alliance formed in 1949 by European countries including the US, Canada and Britain.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer sought to reassure the president that European nations are ready to defend Greenland and its surrounding area, known as the High North, from hostile nations such as Russia.
Downing Street said Sir Keir told the president in a phone call on Thursday evening: “European allies have taken action to defend Euro-Atlantic interests in recent months, but more can be done to protect the region.”
But Mr. Trump’s comments in an interview with The New York Times suggest those comments were ignored.
Referring to NATO members in Europe, Mr. Trump said, “I want them to take shape. I think we will always get along well with Europe, but I want them to take shape, too.”
“I’m the one who gets them to spend more on NATO for more GDP. But if you look at NATO, I can say that Russia has no interest in any country other than us.”
He told the newspaper: “I remained very loyal to Europe. I did a good job. If it weren’t for me, Russia would have all of Ukraine right now.”
Earlier this week, the UK and European allies vowed they “will not stop defending” the territorial integrity of Greenland in a joint statement seen as a message to the US.
Denmark’s ambassador, Jesper Moller Sorensen, and Greenland’s chief representative in Washington, Jacob Isbosethsen, met with White House National Security Council officials to discuss Greenland. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with Danish officials next week.
