Keir Starmer Tells Trump To Keep Hands Off Greenland

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has asserted that only Greenland and Denmark should decide the territory’s future, telling Donald Trump to “keep his hands off.” This follows Trump’s renewed statements, since returning to office, about the United States needing to take control of Greenland for national security reasons.

Discussions around U.S. annexation grew louder following a recent military operation in Venezuela. Over the weekend, leaders in both Greenland and Denmark firmly rejected any suggestion of an American takeover of the semi-autonomous territory.

Starmer echoed these rejections in a BBC interview, emphatically agreeing that Trump should not interfere. He stated, “Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark must decide the future of Greenland and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.”

He further stressed Denmark’s status as a close European and NATO ally, repeating this message to other broadcasters. Starmer added that Britain “stands” with Denmark on the issue, offering clear support against Washington’s rhetoric.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also dismissed the idea, stating it “makes absolutely no sense” and that the U.S. has no right to annex any part of the Danish kingdom. This followed a provocative social media post from a Trump aide’s wife featuring a U.S.-flagged map of Greenland.

Despite these objections, Trump later reiterated aboard Air Force One that the U.S. “needs Greenland from the standpoint of national security.” His administration had previously angered Denmark by appointing a special envoy to Greenland in December.

Greenland, with a population of 57,000, is largely self-governing, with many residents favoring eventual independence from Denmark. However, there is near-universal opposition within the territory to coming under U.S. control.