EPC: Starmer must push for Greenland security package to fend off Trump’s “obsession” with breaching its sovereignty

EMBARGO: 00.01 Thursday 2 October 2025

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has called on Keir Starmer to use tomorrow’s European Political Community summit to agree a security package for Greenland to fend off Trump’s aggression.

It follows the bilateral minerals deal set to be signed by the UK and the territory this week.

The call comes after a year of President Donald Trump testing the water for his ambitions to acquire Greenland as a US state. He told journalists in January 2025 that he thought the US was “going to get [Greenland]”, and that the island’s 57,000 residents “want to be with us”. Recent polling indicates that 85% of Greenlanders do not want to be annexed by the United States.

As recently as August, the top US diplomat in Copenhagen was summoned over reports that US covert operatives had been conducting influence campaigns in the sovereign territory. The White House responded that the Danes “need to calm down”.

The European Political Community is set to meet tomorrow (Thursday 2 October) to discuss continental security, with a particular focus on strengthening Ukraine in light of the ongoing conflict between Kyiv and Moscow. Ed Davey has warned that the horrendous conflict in Ukraine must teach European leaders that “sovereign territory must be protected from aggressors who want it for their own gain” – calling for a new security agreement for Greenland.

The proposed package would aim to bolster Greenland’s counter-espionage and national security powers through enhanced intelligence and tech cooperation with EPC members.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said:

“Ever the real estate developer, Trump is obsessed with the idea of seizing Greenland without a care for its sovereignty or the wishes of its people.

“The Prime Minister must not turn a blind eye to Trump’s designs on Greenland and his covert operations on the island. A security package backed by the UK and the whole of Europe must come hard on the heels of this week's minerals agreement.

“If we are to learn any lessons from the horrific conflict in Ukraine, it is that sovereign states must stand together against aggressors. The UK must stand with Greenland and our other allies now.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

See polling data reported here.