Donald Trump's ambition to acquire Greenland has ignited a significant international controversy, drawing sharp reactions from global leaders and raising questions about the future of NATO. The former US President publicly signaled his intent by posting an edited image on Instagram of himself gazing at a map of Greenland, accompanied by the caption 'Monitoring the situation'. Trump insisted the US would take control of the territory 'one way or another', arguing it would be 'easier' than military means but necessary to prevent Russia or China from occupying the Arctic territory. He dismissed concerns about straining relationships with NATO, asserting that the alliance needs the US more than vice versa.

Trump justified his push by highlighting Greenland's perceived weak defense, claiming, 'Greenland, basically their defense is two dogsleds,' while emphasizing the presence of Russian and Chinese destroyers and submarines in the region. However, these claims were disputed by Denmark, which defends the autonomous territory home to approximately 57,000 people. Greenland's capital city mayor, Avaaraq Olsen, expressed 'dread' and 'distress' over what she termed 'fake news' from Trump, particularly regarding the presence of Russian and Chinese vessels, stating, 'I don't want him here... Really the lying has to stop.'

The potential US takeover triggered strong condemnations from European leaders. Former European Commission Margrethe Vestager cautioned that 'for one NATO country to attack another NATO country to acquire territory is really far reaching,' and would represent 'the most existential threat to NATO we have ever seen.' Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned of a 'decisive moment' in the standoff, asserting Denmark's readiness 'to defend our values - wherever it is necessary - also in the Arctic. We believe in international law and in peoples' right to self-determination.' Greenland's government itself firmly rejected any US takeover 'under any circumstances' and pledged to develop its own defense within the NATO framework. Vestager also noted that existing US-Denmark treaties allow for cooperation without a transfer of territory and highlighted Denmark's commitment to global security.

China also weighed in, with foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stating that the Arctic 'concerns the overall interests of the international community' and that the US should not use other countries as an excuse to advance its own strategic interests. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged the importance of Arctic security and ongoing discussions among allies on collective protection, especially with opening sea lanes presenting risks from increased Russian and Chinese activity. However, he also downplayed the notion of an immediate 'crisis' within the alliance. Despite global backlash, Trump reiterated his belief that US control of Greenland was inevitable, declaring, 'One way or the other, we're going to have Greenland.' While dismissing NATO backlash, he also sought to portray himself as a defender of the alliance by pushing member states to increase defense spending.

The controversy prompted diplomatic efforts, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio scheduled to meet Danish officials. The UK is reportedly in discussions with other NATO countries to potentially send British troops to Greenland to deter Russian aggression, a move supported by Sir Keir Starmer. Germany has also confirmed ongoing NATO talks to bolster Arctic security. White House officials reportedly explored alternative approaches, including purchasing the territory or offering direct payments to Greenlanders to encourage a break from Denmark and alignment with the United States. European institutions, led by France and Germany, expressed solidarity with Denmark, prompting suggestions for a European force in the territory to underscore the EU's commitment to Arctic security. Vestager further suggested strengthening EU-Greenland ties through investments and closer political links if the Greenlanders choose.

Beyond the Greenland issue, the international political landscape remains tense. US President Donald Trump is deliberating his response to Iran's crackdown on mass protests, with reports suggesting he is leaning towards fresh military strikes despite Tehran's last-ditch diplomatic efforts. The US administration announced a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran, and the European Union has stepped up its response by banning Iranian diplomats from the European Parliament and considering 'new, more severe' sanctions, including potentially designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. Iran, in turn, summoned ambassadors from the UK, Germany, Italy, and France, signaling escalating diplomatic tensions.

In a notable shift, the European Commission has indicated that direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin are a possibility 'at some point' to achieve peace in Ukraine, moving away from its previous focus on diplomatic and economic isolation. This pivot has gained support from leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, despite remaining a controversial prospect while the conflict in Ukraine persists.

Domestically, the European Commission has frozen decisions on files related to Hungary ahead of its April elections to avoid perceived interference and prevent feeding Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's anti-EU rhetoric. Meanwhile, in French politics, Marine Le Pen's presidential ambitions hang in the balance as an appeal process begins in Paris today. This process will determine if her five-year ban from public office, stemming from an embezzlement conviction, will be reduced or overturned, allowing her to run in the 2027 presidential ballot. Her protégé, Jordan Bardella, has seen a surge in popularity, potentially eclipsing Le Pen herself.

In other news, a fact-check debunked false claims that Germany sent all its power generators to Ukraine during a recent Berlin blackout. The UK media watchdog Ofcom launched an investigation into Elon Musk's X over concerns regarding sexually explicit AI-generated images from its Grok chatbot. Additionally, EU ambassadors are holding urgent meetings on Iran, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is visiting Berlin, and the European Left Alliance plans to launch a European Citizens’ Initiative calling for the full suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.