“We prefer dialogue, but…” EU ready for US “raw power” (which will cut participation in NATO)

European Commission promises strong increase in European investment in Greenland’s security. Process of ratification of the trade agreement with the USA suspended. European politicians call for declaration of independence from the EU.

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, promised this Tuesday to work on a security support package in the Arctic with “strong increase in European investment in Greenland”, in the face of what he classified as the “raw power” of the United States.

“Europe prefers dialogue and solutions, but is fully prepared to actif necessary, with unity, urgency and determination. But, in addition, we need our own strategic approach and that is why we are working on a security support package in the Arctic”, with “a strong increase in European investment in Greenland, in particular to further support the local economy and infrastructure”, said the leader of the community executive, in a debate at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg.

This involves, from the outset, “doubling financial support” from the EU, within the scope of the next community budget, added Von der Leyen, arguing however that the Union must “do more and do it faster”. In the face of North American threats regarding Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Von der Leyen spoke of a “world defined by raw powerbe it economic or military, technological or geopolitical”, with which the EU “has to deal”.

Despite stressing that the EU “agrees with its North American friends on the need to guarantee the security of the Arctic region”, the official considered that the proposals made by the United States regarding the North American occupation of Greenland “are simply wrong”.

“If we now enter a dangerous downward spiral between allies, it will only embolden the same adversaries that we are both so committed to keeping out of our strategic space,” he stressed.

Recognizing the potential of the autonomous territory of Denmark in terms of and emerging global maritime routes, the leader of the community executive warned: “Above all, Greenland is the home of a free and sovereign people, it is a nation with its own sovereignty and the right to territorial integrity and the future of Greenland it is up to the Greenlanders to decide”.

“EU is ready and has the power to defend itself”

The President of the European Council, Antonio Costaconsidered that the principles and protection of the EU “are being put to the test” by the United States, but promised a response to “any form of coercion” on Greenland.

“Taken together, the geopolitical challenges facing Europe sometimes seem overwhelming […]but the EU will emerge from this situation stronger, more resilient and more sovereign. For this to happen, our response must have three components: a Europe of principles, a Europe of protection and a Europe of prosperity – three dimensions [que] are being put to the test at the current moment in transatlantic relations”, said Costa, in the debate in the European Parliament.

The former Portuguese Prime Minister stressed that the EU “is ready to defend itself […] against any form of coercion” and has “the power and instruments to do so”.

In statements in the French city of Strasbourg, António Costa explained that it was due to the context of North American threats regarding Greenland that he decided to call an extraordinary meeting of the European Council on transatlantic relations for this Thursday.

“Having listened to Member States in preparing this meeting, I believe that some fundamental elements are broadly shared”, including “full support and solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland” and the fact that “only they can decide about their future”.

António Costa also admitted “a common transatlantic interest in peace and security in the Arctic, particularly through work within NATO”, but stressed that “new tariffs would harm transatlantic relations and are incompatible with the EU-US trade agreement”, which ended up being suspended.

“We want to continue to engage constructively with the United States on all issues of common interest – and there are many, as we are partners and allies and share a transatlantic community” – but “We cannot accept that the law of the strongest prevails over the rights of the weakest because international rules are not optional and alliances cannot be reduced to just a succession of transactions”, said the president of the European Council.

US will cut participation in NATO

North American President Donald Trump speaks this Wednesday at the Davos Forum, in Switzerland, in an intervention awaited with particular anticipation, given the context of high tension between the United States and Europe. Just this Tuesday, Trump justified the creation of , an organization aimed at putting an end to international conflicts, accusing the UN of never having helped him resolve any war.

The Department of Defense (Pentagon) of the United States plans to reduce the country’s participation in elements of NATO’s force structure and in several alliance advisory groupsaccording to .

The New York newspaper, which cites several US authorities linked to the process, said on Tuesday that this is the latest sign of the initiative by the administration led by Donald Trump to reduce the US military presence in Europe.

The measure that will be announced soon will affect around 200 military personnel.will reduce US involvement in almost 30 NATO organizationsincluding its Centers of Excellence, which seek to train Atlantic alliance forces in various areas of war, according to sources cited by the newspaper, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Instead of withdrawing completely at once, the Pentagon intends not to replace personnel as their positions enda process that could take years, according to two US officials linked to the process. US participation in the centers will not end completely, these sources assured The Washington Post.

Among the advisory groups that will face cuts are those dedicated to energy security and alliance naval warfareaccording to three authorities. The Pentagon will also reduce its involvement in official NATO organizations dedicated to special operations and intelligenceaccording to two officials, although one of the sources noted that some of these North American functions will be transferred to other locations within the alliance, limiting the impact of the measure.

The move has been under consideration for months, according to two US officials, one of whom said it was not related to President Donald Trump’s growing threats to seize the Danish territory of Greenland.

European politicians call for declaration of independence

Several European politicians have argued that the security, prosperity and democracy of the European bloc can no longer depend on the “changing will” of the United States and call for a declaration of independence of the European Union.

Figures such as Joseph Borrell, former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, several former presidents, former members of the European Parliament and representatives of institutions such as the Jacques Delors Institute consider that the appeasement strategy towards Donald Trump is not working.

“The concessions and accommodations did not reduce Trump’s unpredictability and hostility, which culminated in repeated threats to Greenland”, write the figures who signed the opinion article, which also includes the Portuguese Margarida Marques, former secretary of state for European Affairs and former member of the European Parliament.

In the article, signed by more than 50 international figuresargue that these concessions have deepened Europe’s strategic vulnerability and argue that a more productive and competitive Europe is a “precondition for geopolitical power and social well-being”.

To this end, they call on the Commission to present a proposal for a new, “reinforced and more ambitious” Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), capable of financing European public goods, including new Defense and research priorities. They also advocate the establishment of a European Common Defense“supported by a stronger political union”, considering that “only a more federal Europe can face these challenges” .

They also ask that the European Council follow up on the European Parliament’s proposal to reform the treaties to “abolish unanimity in the EU’s decision-making system: “budgetary and fiscal, external, security and defense policies, as well as enlargement, must be covered by the ordinary legislative procedure”, they argue.

They also consider that the European Parliament can play a fundamental role in implementing the necessary institutional reforms, conditioning its support to the next annual budgets and the MFF and promoting a Interparliamentary Assembly to defend the full achievement of the defined objectives.

Furthermore, they also advocate the promotion of a Ad hoc Citizens’ Assemblyto involve people and the European public sphere in general, as well as the creation of “a renewed, supra-partisan and interinstitutional pro-European coalition”, which encompasses the most committed member states in the European Council, the pro-European majority in the European and national parliaments, the European Commission and regional and local institutions, as well as pro-European organized civil society.