Pedro Sanchez has vowed to defend Denmark after US President Donald Trump hinted that he would consider annexing its territory of Greenland.
The Spanish prime minister made the vow as he yet again blasted the US’s military action in Venezuela, warning that it risks destabilising the international order and could push the world towards a new era of insecurity.
Speaking at a press conference in Paris following a meeting of the Coalition of Volunteers for Ukraine, Sanchez said the operation in Caracas represented a highly dangerous precedent under international law.
He also made clear that Spain would not tolerate threats against the territorial integrity of European states, specifically referring to Denmark.
It comes after repeated Donald Trump said he was ‘very serious’ about the idea of annexing Greenland from the Danes.
Sanchez said: ‘The operation in Caracas sets a terrible and very dangerous precedent that pushes the world toward a future of uncertainty and insecurity, as we already suffered after other invasions driven by the thirst for oil.
‘We cannot accept it, just as we cannot accept threats to the territorial integrity of a European state like Denmark…
‘We will not remain silent in the face of increasingly frequent violations of international law. We will always stand on the side of legality.
‘We will use all the resources at our disposal to strengthen multilateralism.’
Sanchez reiterated that Spain has never recognised dictator Nicolas Maduro’s government, arguing that his re-election failed to meet democratic standards.
However, he stressed that this position does not justify military intervention.
From Paris, Sanchez underlined that Spain rejects both the use of force to impose regime change and any attempt to undermine the sovereignty of a European country.
He said both scenarios represent unacceptable violations of the international legal framework.
The remarks place Madrid firmly among those European capitals calling for restraint, legality and collective decision-making at a time of rising geopolitical tension.
Joint statement on Denmark
Spain today issued a joint statement with France, Germany, Poland, the UK, Italy and Denmark regarding the threats made against Greenland by Trump.
It read: ‘Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security.
‘NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.
‘The Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – is part of NATO. Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.
‘These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them. The United States is an essential partner in this endeavour, as a NATO ally and through the defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951.
‘Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide
on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.’
