 "'Putin would be the happiest man on earth': Spanish PM Sanchez on US invasion of Greenland")
Amid concerns over Greenland’s future, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that any US invasion of the Arctic island would severely damage NATO and play into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His comments were published in a newspaper interview on Sunday, amid rising tensions between Washington and European allies.
Sanchez said a US military action against Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, would legitimise Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“If we focus on Greenland, I have to say that a U.S. invasion of that territory would make Vladimir Putin the happiest man in the world. Why? Because it would legitimize his attempted invasion of Ukraine,” he told La Vanguardia.
He added, “If the United States were to use force, it would be the death knell for NATO. Putin would be doubly happy.”
Trump threatens tariffs to force Greenland deal
President Donald Trump on Saturday appeared to shift strategy, vowing to impose escalating tariffs on European allies until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said an additional 10% import tariff would take effect from February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Great Britain. All are already subject to tariffs imposed by his administration.
Trump said the tariffs would rise to 25% on June 1 and would remain in place until an agreement was reached for the US to purchase Greenland.
Denmark and Greenland reject sale
Trump has repeatedly said he will accept nothing short of ownership of Greenland. Leaders in both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the idea, saying the island is not for sale and does not want to become part of the United States.
Almost 10 per cent of Greenland’s population marched across the country to take a stand against the United States’ proposition to take over the island region. On Saturday, they held signs of protest, waved their national flag and chanted “Greenland is not for sale” in the face of increasing threats of an American takeover.
The UK and France criticise tariff threats
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also criticised Trump’s tariff threats, calling them “completely wrong”. His remarks followed Trump’s statement that the levies would apply to Nato members, including the UK, France and Germany, from February 1.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday called Trump’s potential tariff threats over Greenland “unacceptable,” warning that Europe would respond in a united and coordinated way if the measures were confirmed.
Quick Reads
View All“No intimidation or threat will sway us—whether in Ukraine, Greenland, or elsewhere,” Macron said on X. “Tariff threats have no place here, and Europeans will react together if they are implemented.”
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