The European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, warned that a U.S. military seizure of Greenland would effectively spell the end of NATO and trigger severe diplomatic fallout. He cited Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty, which obliges member states to assist a fellow member that faces armed aggression. The remarks came amid comments from former President Trump advocating U.S. control of Greenland — a move Copenhagen and Nuuk have rejected. Kubilius said the response would depend on Denmark's stance but stressed the clear mutual-assistance duty under EU rules.
EU Commissioner Warns U.S. Seizure Of Greenland Would 'Spell The End Of NATO' — EU Treaty Could Trigger Aid For Denmark
Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space talks during the Folk och Forsvar Annual National Conference at the Hogfjallshotellet in Salen, Sweden, January 11, 2026. TT News Agency/Henrik Montgomery via REUTERS
The European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, warned on Jan. 12 that a forced U.S. seizure of Greenland would have devastating consequences for NATO and transatlantic relations. Speaking at a security conference in Sälen, Sweden, Kubilius said such an action would be "the end of NATO" and would provoke very negative reactions across Europe.
Former President Donald Trump has previously suggested the United States should "own" Greenland — an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark — to prevent Russia or China from gaining influence in the strategically located, mineral-rich Arctic region. Both Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly stated the territory is not for sale, but Trump has not explicitly ruled out the use of force.
Kubilius stressed that the European Union treaty includes a mutual-assistance clause. He invoked Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union, which creates an obligation for EU member states to come to the aid of a fellow member state that suffers armed aggression.
"I agree with the Danish Prime Minister that it will be the end of NATO, but also among people it will be also very, very negative," Kubilius said.
While Kubilius noted the ultimate response would depend heavily on Denmark's official position and reaction, he emphasized that EU rules already establish a duty of mutual assistance in the face of military aggression. The comments underscore the diplomatic and security risks of any unilateral attempt to seize territory from a NATO ally and highlight Greenland's growing strategic importance in Arctic geopolitics.
Context: Greenland's geographic location and reported mineral resources have increased international interest in the island. Any military move against Greenland would raise complex legal, diplomatic and security questions for both the EU and NATO.
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