UK–US dialogue touches on Greenland, sanctions busting and Western hemisphere security

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has outlined his position on Greenland during a call with US President Donald Trump, Downing Street told British media.

Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in annexing the territory, despite Greenland being part of Denmark, a NATO ally.

According to a Downing Street spokesperson, the conversation also covered the interception of the Bella 1 tanker — also known as the Marinera — an operation that involved both US and UK military forces.

“The prime minister spoke with President Trump this evening,” the No. 10 spokesperson said. “They discussed the joint operation to intercept the Bella 1 as part of shared efforts to counter sanctions evasion, recent developments related to Ukraine and the US operation in Venezuela. The prime minister also set out his position on Greenland.”

That position had already been made public in a joint statement issued on Tuesday, January 6, in which European partners, including the UK, reaffirmed that “Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

Concerns about potential US action involving Greenland have intensified following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a bold US raid in Caracas. In the aftermath, Trump suggested additional interventions in the western hemisphere were possible, referencing the Monroe Doctrine — a policy originating from President James Monroe that asserts the United States’ right to intervene in affairs across the Americas in its own interest. Trump has taken to describing it as the “Trump Doctrine,” adapting the name.

Amid this context, Trump has repeatedly raised the prospect of moves concerning Greenland. In an interview with US media, he said that “we need it for national security, right now.” Despite resistance from NATO allies, the White House later issued a statement that escalated matters further by stating that “utilising the US military is always an option.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any such US action against Greenland would effectively bring an end to NATO.

Earlier, the UK defence secretary told the House of Commons that no UK personnel were involved in boarding the Bella 1, but that UK forces supported the operation “at the request of the US.” John Healey explained that the tanker intercepted by the United States was fraudulently registered and described it as a sanctioned, stateless vessel.

The ship was stopped between Iceland and Scotland on January 7 as it was travelling toward Russia.

By Tamilla Hasanova