Former NATO Chief Says US Needs European Support in Arctic
Washington Relies on Europe for Arctic Strategy
Former NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said on Tuesday that the United States would require European allies’ expertise to operate effectively in the Arctic. He stressed that Washington would not take military action to annex Greenland.
“NATO has not faced a serious threat,” Scheffer told Dutch broadcaster WNL, adding that the alliance is far from a “worst-case scenario.”
US Ambitions and Greenland
Scheffer noted that the US cannot manage Greenland’s defense without European support. “Trump wants to ‘own’ Greenland and won’t abandon that ambition soon. He will start a campaign to appeal to Greenlanders, but ultimately, he wants the island incorporated,” Scheffer said.
He dismissed concerns about armed conflict between the US and European NATO allies as “absurd.” He added that any attempt to annex an area under the NATO treaty would severely damage the alliance, but he does not foresee that happening soon.
Strategic Importance of Greenland
Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, attracts US interest for its strategic location and mineral resources. Former President Trump described acquiring Greenland as an “absolute necessity” for US economic security, comparing it to a “large real estate deal.”
Denmark and Greenland have rejected any sale proposals and reaffirmed Danish sovereignty. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet Danish and Greenland officials this week, according to media reports.
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