During a New Year press conference on Friday, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed her belief that the United States would not consider military action to seize control of Greenland. She emphasized the importance of establishing a stronger NATO role in the Arctic to address U.S. security concerns regarding the region.
Meloni stated that military action in Greenland would be detrimental to all parties involved, highlighting that such a move would have serious ramifications for NATO as a whole. “I still don’t believe in the possibility of the U.S. initiating military action to take control of Greenland,” she remarked, reinforcing Italy's stance in opposition to any such action.
The discussions surrounding Greenland's strategic significance have resurfaced, particularly after the White House indicated that military action could be among the “options” for the U.S. to secure the mineral-rich island, which is a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. Meloni pointed out that the Trump administration has consistently highlighted Greenland's geopolitical importance, stating, “It’s an area where many foreign actors operate, and I continue to believe the message from the U.S. is that it will not accept actions by foreign powers.”
To address these security concerns, Meloni proposed enhanced NATO presence in the Arctic region, suggesting that this would help alleviate U.S. anxieties about rival nations exerting influence in the area, even those with hostile intentions. As one of President Donald Trump's closest allies in Europe, Meloni has taken a mediating role between U.S. interests and those of the European Union.
Meloni also underscored the implications of any U.S. military operation in Greenland, asserting that it would significantly impact NATO’s collective security and unity. Trump has previously floated the idea of purchasing Greenland from Denmark, and following recent military developments, he has renewed discussions about U.S. control over the island based on strategic interests.
Leaders from countries including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain have voiced their support for Greenland’s sovereignty, aligning themselves with Denmark, which has held rights over the island since the early 20th century. Meloni highlighted the importance of adhering to international law, saying, “I think international law must be fully defended.” She further addressed queries regarding Italy's alignment with U.S. policies amidst Trump's aggressive strategies, stating, “I don’t understand what you’re asking when you say Italy must distance itself from the United States.”
The Italian Prime Minister affirmed Italy’s foreign policy framework rests on two fundamental pillars: a commitment to Europe and to the Atlantic Alliance. While she acknowledged that its allies may not always share the same perspectives, she remarked, “The interests of nations don’t always perfectly overlap.”
