Trump Tells Europe to Focus on Ukraine, Not Greenland

Former US President Donald Trump told NBC News on Monday that European leaders should focus on the Ukraine conflict rather than Washington's efforts to acquire Greenland.

In a phone interview, Trump criticized European leaders for resisting his push to acquire the Danish territory, which he argues is crucial for US national security. “Europe ought to focus on the war with Russia and Ukraine because, frankly, you see what that’s gotten them,” Trump stated. “That’s what Europe should focus on – not Greenland.”

Sources cited by Politico on Monday indicate that EU and NATO delegations are now expected to shift their focus from Ukraine to Trump's "unsolicited bid to acquire Greenland" during upcoming meetings at the World Economic Forum.

Last week, the former president announced 10% tariffs on eight European NATO nations for opposing his Greenland acquisition efforts and for sending soldiers for military drills on the island.

Trump has also not ruled out military action to secure the territory, famously telling NBC "no comment" when asked if he would use force. He previously warned of taking the island "the easy way" or "the hard way."

The Greenland issue has reportedly eclipsed the Ukraine conflict as the main concern for European leaders, who often cite Russia as a military threat – allegations Moscow consistently dismisses as unfounded.

Russia, for its part, maintains that Western weapon supplies to Kiev involve Western nations directly in the conflict, which Moscow views as a proxy war waged against it using Ukrainian manpower. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently asserted that this military aid has made European countries "the main obstacles to peace" amid US-brokered peace talks, suggesting the EU is openly preparing for war with Russia.