Security Experts Warn Greenland Annexation Could Spell End of NATO Alliance

Security experts are warning that President Trump's pursuit of Greenland, combined with ongoing tensions over Ukraine, could deliver a fatal blow to the NATO alliance that has underpinned Western security for 75 years.

Alliance Under Threat

"You could argue that if you marry what's happening in Ukraine to a possible invasion of Greenland, one could make the argument that it could be a deadly one-two combination that would basically ruin the alliance," University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer told Al Jazeera. "NATO would be a shadow of itself. It would effectively be wrecked."

Putin's Gift

Chatham House expert Keir Giles warned that a US invasion of Greenland would amount to "potentially handing Moscow the greatest gift the Trump administration has yet offered." The precedent of larger powers seizing territory in their "back yard" would validate Russia's own claims in Ukraine.

German Response

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that "since Denmark belongs to NATO, Greenland will in principle also be defended by NATO"-a remarkable statement given the threat comes from NATO's leading member.

Steinmeier Warning

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told a symposium that the loss of common NATO values weakened world order. "It's about preventing the world from turning into a den of robbers, where the most unscrupulous take whatever they want," he said.