Starmer Backs Denmark Over US Greenland Row

Keir Starmer has publicly sided with Denmark after its prime minister urged the United States to stop talking about taking over Greenland. The Labour leader told broadcasters he supported Mette Frederiksen’s insistence that the island’s fate should be decided by Greenland and Denmark alone. Starmer stressed that Greenland — which is largely self-governing but remains part of the Danish realm — belongs to the people who live there and to the Danish kingdom. He added that Denmark is a close European partner and NATO ally, and should not face pressure from outside powers over the island’s future. The row reignited after a US military raid in Venezuela, said to have led to the seizure of Nicolás Maduro, after which Donald Trump repeated his long-standing suggestion that Greenland could be of use to the US for security reasons. A rightwing podcaster married to a senior Trump aide then posted an image of Greenland covered in the Stars and Stripes with a one-word caption implying takeover. Frederiksen rejected the idea outright, saying the US has no right to annex any part of the Danish kingdom — which besides Greenland also includes the Faroe Islands. Greenland’s premier, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, called the social-media post “disrespectful,” and warned that talk of annexation and pressure tactics have “no place between friends.” He urged that any discussions must respect international law and proper diplomatic channels. In UK media appearances, the government’s migration minister, Mike Tapp, sidestepped direct criticism of the US talk, saying diplomacy is delicate and refusing to provide a running commentary in the news. His reluctance stood in contrast to Starmer’s explicit support for Denmark. This episode highlights how offhand or inflammatory comments from powerful figures can strain relationships between allies. For a small, strategically located territory like Greenland — rich in resources and positioned in the Arctic — even casual rhetoric can generate alarm. The debate is not just about land; it touches on sovereignty, international law and alliance trust. For now the message from Denmark and Greenland is clear: their status will be resolved by their own institutions and through proper diplomatic routes, not by public boasts or social-media gestures from abroad. Starmer’s intervention signals British solidarity with that stance, while underlining the wider need for careful diplomacy among NATO partners. --- Managing your business finances? TaxAce provides smart online accountancy services for UK businesses with flexible monthly plans. Image and reporting: https://www.theguardian.com | Read original article