Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026 08:45 [IST]
Last Update: Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026 16:45 [IST]
Ever since Donald Trump, the extra-dynamic U.S. President, got rid of the President of Venezuela in a most daring and discourteous way on January 3, in the name of “restoring democratic order,” news about a takeover of Greenland by the U.S.A. began making the rounds.
Very soon, he ordered a halt to oil supplies and funds to Cuba from Venezuela, urging the latter to strike a deal with the U.S. Cuba, dependent on Venezuelan oil in return for security cover and small supplies from Mexico, now faces blackouts and shortages. Incidentally, the Cuban government has confessed to having lost 32 of its military personnel during the U.S. operation to capture Nicolas Maduro.
Operation Greenland
Trump has said he would seek to acquire Greenland the “easy way,” failing which the U.S.A. could pursue the “hard way.” He went on to add, “If we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over. We are not going to have Russia or China as our neighbour.” One can feel the extent of contempt.
Tough Stand of Denmark
But before Trump could dare to add another feather to his dubious cap by violating the U.N. Charter and international law, not only has Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister, expressed resistance, but NATO too has begun flexing its muscles.
According to unconfirmed news, both the E.U. and NATO have warned President Trump that seizing Greenland could lead to U.S.A. bases in Europe being taken over, which could seriously damage relations between the U.S.A. and its allies. Trump may not be ready for such a situation.
Greenland, with a meagre population of 57,000, has vast and precious oil, gold, rare earth metals, and other mineral wealth, besides providing a short sea route. It is an independent, self-governed territory under Denmark.
As U.S. presence in the region could be a security risk, the Danish Prime Minister has made it clear that she would defend Greenland against any U.S. military attack. She has issued a historic warning that any such move on Greenland could trigger a total collapse of NATO and the post–World War II security architecture.
Trump, on the other hand, has claimed that the U.S. absolutely needs the 85% snow-bound territory for its “national defence.”
Denmark has cautioned that U.S. troops are under standing orders to shoot first and ask questions later, and that Trump was unnecessarily escalating tension in the region. In a latest move, the Danish military has participated in a drill in the Kangerlussuaq region.
Trump’s latest plan received a lukewarm response from 26 of the 27 members of the E.U., except Hungary, its die-hard supporter.
Major European countries later rallied behind Denmark, clarifying that Greenland belongs to its people alone. About 85% are reported to have opposed any annexation move by the U.S.A.
Views of Italy
Prime Minister GiorgiaMeloni of Italy, on the other hand, does not believe the U.S. will make a military move on Greenland. At the same time, she has urged NATO to have a strong presence in the Arctic to protect the two-million-square-kilometre territory of Denmark’s self-governed colony.
Justified Feelings of Greenland
Meanwhile, J.F. Neilsen, Prime Minister of Greenland, has vehemently stated that the island is not for sale. All political parties of Greenland, a peace-loving country away from international glare, have put up a united front against possible nefarious designs.
Joint Statement of NATO
The statement signed by the President of France, the Chancellor of Germany, and the Prime Ministers of the U.K., Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark is bold enough, as under:
Stand of China
China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has stated that U.S. arrogance must be brought to an end and the colonial mindset uprooted.
German Stand
F.W. Steinmeier, President of Germany, after slamming the foreign policy of the U.S.A., has urged global leaders of Brazil and India not to let the world order disintegrate into a den of robbers. As tensions are escalating ahead of time in the region, two German ships have been dispatched.
India and Germany should discuss this vital issue during the ongoing visit of Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor, to New Delhi.
Stand of the U.K.
In a recent development, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has met the Danish Prime Minister to reaffirm their stand on Greenland. Both are understood to have underscored the need to check Russian activity in the Arctic region. Britain has also begun talks with NATO to counter threats from Russia and China in the Arctic Circle.
Russia to Watch
After the seizure of a Russian oil tanker by the U.S. Navy a few days ago, a Russian IL-76 military transport aircraft reportedly linked to Moscow’s defence circles has landed in Caracas, amid Russia reasserting Venezuela as a sovereign nation. A strong statement from Russia should be forthcoming any day. However, how long Russia, China, and Iran consider it feasible to use the thick and dirty crude oil of Venezuela remains to be seen. Oil giants Chevron, Exxon, and Shell also appear slow.
To Conclude
Mette Frederiksen may be the Prime Minister of a small country, but as the longest-serving head of government (since June 2019) in the E.U., not only is experience on her side, she may also be closely aware of the nuances of leaders—especially a bragging Trump during his two tenures. As Trump has reiterated his intent to use force to seize Greenland, she, together with the Prime Minister of Greenland, cannot be threatened by such unacceptable and imperialistic plans.
Trump, for a change, needs to concentrate on the domestic sector—if he manages to survive politically. On the fronts of health, employment, erratic tariffs, immigration, law and order, and the mid-term polls, Americans are suffering. This was highlighted during the January 10 “No King Protest,” with 26,000 rallies involving seven million people. There is a need to contain such protests in the U.S.A., Venezuela, and Mexico.
On the personal front, as Trump continues to act in haste, leading to unstable behaviour, he appears increasingly dictatorial. There was no need to withdraw the U.S.A. from 66 international organisations.
