During the NATO summit in Ankara on Tuesday, Donald Trump once again laid claim to Greenland, threatening to pull all American troops out of Europe while blaming Denmark for the strained relations with the alliance.
The remarks, reported by EFE and several international outlets, came during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shortly after Trump arrived in the Turkish capital, setting the stage for another episode of transatlantic tension.
Trump's Stance on NATO Relations
Trump was forthright in identifying the root cause of his rift with NATO:
“That's what damaged my relationship with NATO, because Greenland does not help Denmark. Denmark doesn’t spend money to truly help Greenland. Yet it’s a critical area for the United States, surrounded by Chinese and Russian ships, and that’s unacceptable.”
The president reiterated a long-held position since the beginning of his second term:
"I've always believed Greenland should be under U.S. control, not Denmark's."
Warning of Troop Withdrawal from Europe
Trump escalated his rhetoric with a blunt warning to NATO allies:
"We might withdraw all our soldiers from Europe because, as you might have noticed, Europe is vastly different from what it was 20 years ago."
He added a dire forecast: “They better be cautious with immigration and energy. If not, Europe will cease to exist.”
On defense spending, he was equally forceful: “We’ve spent billions defending Europe, and they haven’t treated us well. I didn’t need their help, but they said they wouldn’t help us even before we asked.”
Criticism of European Allies Over Iran
Trump took a jab at the allies who refused to join the military operation against Iran in March 2026 with a brief statement: “Italy said no. Germany said no. France said no.”
He acknowledged that their refusal was part of a deliberate test.
“I was testing people. I wanted to see if they’d truly stand by us, because for a long time I’ve said we’re there for them, but I’m not sure they’d be there for us,” he asserted.
Regarding Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Trump adopted a tone that was both condescending and conciliatory:
“She refused to get involved, which strained our relationship a bit. But I like her. In fact, I think she’s a good person. However, I believe she made a mistake.”
Denmark's Firm Response: Greenland Not for Sale
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded firmly from the same summit:
“Greenland is not for sale, of course. We have made that clear from the start. The Greenlanders do not wish to be part of the United States. They have made that clear themselves.”
Frederiksen also sent a message to the entire alliance: “There are many adversaries outside NATO. We don’t need conflicts within the Alliance.”
Lifting Sanctions on Turkey as a Gesture to the Host
As a gesture for his presence in Ankara, Trump announced the lifting of sanctions imposed on Turkey for purchasing the Russian S-400 missile system, potentially opening the door for Ankara’s reentry into the F-35 fighter jet program.
The president justified his decision with a phrase summarizing his view on alliances:
“We don’t sanction friends. I have a good relationship with Vladimir Putin, who I know respects Erdogan greatly.”
Key Questions on Trump's NATO and Greenland Remarks
Why does Trump want the U.S. to control Greenland?
Trump believes Greenland holds strategic importance for the United States and is concerned about the presence of Chinese and Russian ships in the area.
What was Trump's warning to NATO allies?
Trump warned that the U.S. might withdraw all its troops from Europe, urging allies to be cautious about immigration and energy issues.
How did Denmark respond to Trump's claims about Greenland?
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly stated that Greenland is not for sale and emphasized the Greenlanders' desire to remain outside U.S. control.