Vance sends warning to Europe about Greenland security
發佈日期: 2026-01-09 20:47
TVB News
US Vice President JD Vance delivered a stark warning to Europe over Greenland, saying if they don't take the island's security seriously, the US will.
A vast glacial expanse;
Scattered settlements;
And for long, isolated from the world.
Now, Greenland is at the centre of a global tussle, with Trump looking to take over the self-governing island from Denmark.
US Vice President JD Vance said Greenland has major strategic and security importance because of its location.
And if Denmark and Europe fail to provide adequate security, the United States will be forced to make a move.
"I guess my advice to European leaders and to anybody else would be to take the President of the United States seriously," said Vance. "What has he said about Greenland?"
"Number one: Greenland is really important not just to America's missile defence, but to the world's missile defence.
"Number two: we know that there are hostile adversaries that have shown a lot of interest in that particular territory, that particular slice of the world.
"So what we're asking our European friends to do is to take the security of that landmass more seriously, because if they're not, the United States is going to have to do something about it."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet next week with Danish officials, with Trump even talking about buying Greenland, similar to US purchases of Louisiana in 1803 and the acquisition of Alaska from Russia in 1867.
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, said: "Greenland is not for sale. It is not up for grabs."
"We are no longer in the era where one could buy or sell Louisiana. Therefore, these intimidations must stop."
The European Union's High Representative, Kaja Kallas, said she hopes all parties adhere to international law.
"The messages that we hear regarding Greenland are extremely concerning and we have had discussions also among the Europeans," said Kallas."So, you know, if this is a real threat and if it is, then what would be our response?
"The international law is very clear, and we have to stick to it. It is clear that it is the only thing that protects smaller countries and that's why it is in the interest of all of us, and we discussed this today as well, that we uphold the international law on all levels."
