US threatens to stop aid to Ukraine via Greenland

European capitals are increasingly realizing that US President Donald Trump’s statements on Greenland are not political eccentricities, but an element of pressure that can have real consequences. After initial attempts to diplomatically “extinguish” the topic, it became clear that simple ignoring or short-term focusing on it will not stop Washington’s ambitions.

As Henry J. Farrell, a professor of democracy and international affairs at Johns Hopkins University, notes in a column for The New York Times, the Trump administration has gradually moved from symbolic gestures to economic leverage. This includes the possible introduction of trade tariffs: 10% from February 1 and 25% from June 1 — until Denmark agrees to sell Greenland to the United States.

The rhetoric is also reinforced by statements by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, who effectively made it clear that Europe depends on American security. His words sent a direct signal: without US support, the situation in Ukraine could quickly collapse, and with it, European stability.

According to Farrell, it is at this moment that Europe begins to experience a painful realization of new realities. The usual focus on soft power comes into conflict with the need for a tougher policy. The author emphasizes that if Europe wants to maintain strategic autonomy, it will have to act more decisively, even if this contradicts its traditional approach to security.

The decision to send European military personnel to Greenland for training was a trigger for US economic threats, but, as Farrell emphasizes, it was not an attempt to physically protect the island from a possible invasion.

Instead, this step was of a deterrent nature and referred to the logic of the Cold War. The author draws a parallel with the deployment of American troops in West Berlin – not as a defensive force, but as a symbol: any attack would automatically mean global escalation. It was this “fuse” that once helped to avoid a direct clash between the superpowers.

Farrell believes that a similar strategy has worked now: the Trump administration quickly shifted its emphasis from military pressure to economic pressure, choosing tariffs as a tool of coercion.

At the same time, the US president still has another, much more dangerous lever at his disposal – a complete cessation of aid to Ukraine. The author directly calls such a scenario “Armageddon”, which would turn into a catastrophe not only for Europe, but also for the US itself: financial markets could collapse, and transatlantic relations could collapse.

Farrell believes that Europe should not back down, but rather act strategically: gradually raising the stakes, exposing Trump’s weaknesses that he will find difficult to explain to his own voters. This is what could give the Europeans an advantage in future negotiations.

At the same time, the author reminds us: most Americans do not support the idea of buying Greenland, and even less so the possibility of seizing the island by force, which leaves Europe room for maneuver.

As a reminder, US President Donald Trump has confirmed the strategic importance of Greenland to the security of the United States. According to him, the island plays a key role in countering the growing activity of Russia and China in the Arctic.

Meanwhile, the administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing a draft agreement on Greenland , which it plans to propose to the island’s authorities. Washington is discussing the possibility of concluding a Free Association Agreement with Greenland and the United States.

At the same time, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen appealed to Donald Trump to stop making statements about the possible seizure of Greenland . She emphasized that talk of annexing Greenland is baseless.

As reported, amid the US president’s statements regarding the seizure of Greenland, the Danish authorities are sending military equipment and defense forces to the island.

It should be noted that Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated that Copenhagen and Washington failed to reach an agreement on Greenland.

European countries subsequently reacted to US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose additional tariffs on eight European countries over their stance on Greenland. The European Union announced that it was preparing a coordinated response and supporting Denmark.

By the way, Trump sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gar Støre, in which he stated the need for full and absolute US control over Greenland . According to him, without this the world will not be safe. In the letter, Donald Trump linked his position with the decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize. He stated that after this he no longer feels obliged to think exclusively about peace, but focuses on the interests of the United States of America.

In addition, amid statements by US President Donald Trump regarding possible control over Greenland, the island’s authorities are beginning to plan security measures in the event of a military conflict, even if it currently seems unlikely.

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