Bilateral Deal, Not Alliance Decision
Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, has clarified that the security framework for Greenland, negotiated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US President Donald Trump, is a bilateral arrangement rather than a NATO-wide decision. Speaking to Euronews at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Albares said, “It is the Secretary General of NATO talking to one of the allies.”
He added that allied foreign ministers currently only have access to the public announcement and that any discussions will ultimately be brought before NATO’s council (Euronews).
Greenland’s Future Lies with Denmark and Its People
President Trump’s announcement suggested an expanded US military presence in Greenland, including additional Arctic bases, following heightened tensions over the region. Albares stressed that the future of Greenland can only be decided by its people and Denmark.
“The people have said very clearly that they want to remain as part of Denmark,” he said. Danish authorities have repeatedly rejected any transfer of sovereignty, and polls indicate most Greenlanders do not support becoming part of the United States. Trump had previously threatened tariffs on several European countries to push for the so-called “sale” of Greenland, citing national security concerns in the face of China and Russia’s ambitions (Euronews).
Europe Must Strengthen Its Defence
Albares criticized the US approach as unacceptable and warned that the EU will not negotiate under coercion. He called for Europe to protect its values and peace through enhanced security and deterrence, suggesting a gradual move toward a European army.
“If we want to continue being a soil of peace where no one can bring war or use coercion—whether through force or trade—we need deterrence in our hands,” Albares told Euronews. He proposed building a coalition of willing states, integrating defence industries, and ultimately creating a European army to safeguard the continent’s sovereignty and values (Euronews).
