Finnish Defence Minister rules out US strike on Greenland

Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said he does not believe US President Donald Trump would order a military strike on Greenland, despite the president’s repeated statements that the territory must be acquired.

Häkkänen warned that any such action would have serious repercussions for the United States’ network of allies, Caliber.Az reports via Finnish media.

He added that Trump remains committed to European security arrangements and the Ukrainian peace negotiations, despite the ongoing situation in Venezuela.

Häkkänen made the remarks during a visit to the US, where he attended the handover ceremony for F‑35 fighter jets at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth factory in Texas.

Trump has intensified his interest in Greenland, citing national security concerns and alleging Russian and Chinese activity around the island. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.

While the White House emphasises ongoing cooperation with Denmark and Greenland, private sources suggest Trump’s aims—access to minerals, more troops, and military bases—could be achieved through negotiation rather than force. “The problem is that Trump has gotten into his head that the ‘Donroe Doctrine’ is his thing,” said one American familiar with the administration.

Denmark has controlled Greenland for roughly 300 years, and European leaders have voiced opposition to any U.S. attempt to seize the territory. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller questioned Denmark’s claim, stating: “The real question is, by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?”

Recent U.S. actions in Venezuela have heightened European fears that Trump may act unilaterally. Some European leaders, including Finland’s Alex Stubb and the UK’s Keir Starmer, have reaffirmed support for Denmark and Greenland.

By Aghakazim Guliyev