Warsaw stresses diplomacy over escalation in Greenland dispute

Polish authorities have clarified their decision not to deploy troops to Greenland, stressing that the ongoing dispute between Denmark and the United States over the Arctic island should be resolved through diplomacy rather than military escalation.

Speaking to the media, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki, affirmed that Poland upholds the principle of prohibiting the forcible alteration of borders—not only in Europe but also in surrounding regions, including Greenland, Caliber.Az reports, citing Polish media.

He emphasized that Poland supports Denmark in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and believes it is in the best interest of both Poland and Europe to encourage direct negotiations between Copenhagen and Washington rather than inflaming tensions.

Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk added that NATO members each have defined responsibilities, and for Poland, the primary focus remains the defence of the alliance’s eastern flank. “We truly have work to do, and Polish soldiers have plenty to keep them occupied,” he said, underlining Warsaw’s commitment to regional security priorities.

To recall, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on January 15 that Poland will not send soldiers to Greenland, adding an attack by one NATO country on the territory of another would be "the end of the world as we know it".

US President Donald Trump has said Greenland is vital to US security and has refused to rule out the use of force to take control of the island, an autonomous territory of Denmark and part of the NATO alliance.

“We are not planning to send Polish soldiers to Greenland,” Tusk said at a conference when asked whether Warsaw would follow France, Germany and the Nordic countries in boosting their military presence there.

Tusk warned that any US, attempt to take the island by force would shatter the foundations of Western security. 

“A conflict, or an attempt to seize the territory of one NATO member by another NATO member – especially the United States – would be the end of the world as we know it, a world that has guaranteed our security for decades,” he said.

The Polish prime minister added that if transatlantic relations – which he called “the foundation of our civilization” – were to collapse, Europe would need to build a new security architecture with partners “who remain loyal to the Western project.” 

By Vafa Guliyeva