US move on Greenland would make Putin 'the happiest man on Earth' – Spanish PM

He said that any US military action against Denmark's Arctic island would harm NATO and legitimize Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"If we focus on Greenland, I have to say that a US invasion of this territory would make Vladimir Putin the happiest man in the world. Why? Because it would legitimize his attempt to invade Ukraine. If the United States uses force, it would be a death sentence for NATO. Putin would be doubly pleased," Pedro Sánchez noted.

Background

US President Donald Trump first expressed his desire to buy Greenland during his first term, from 2017 to 2021. At the time, he even publicly named a price — $600 million per year for lifetime use of the island's territory.

After returning to the White House in early 2025, he once again raised the Greenland issue, although talk about the island had died down in recent months. A new wave of claims resurfaced in January 2026, when the US carried out an operation in Venezuela and captured the country's president, Nicolás Maduro.

During this period, a number of public statements by officials from the Trump administration have made it clear that the US is prepared both to purchase the island and to pursue it by military means.

At the same time, economic means have already been employed. On January 17, Donald Trump promised to impose tariffs on goods from European allies until the US is allowed to buy Greenland back.

Trump said that, starting February 1, a 10% tariff will apply to goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the United Kingdom (these countries are already subject to earlier tariffs).

He also added that, starting June 1, the 10% tariffs will increase to 25%.

Following this announcement, several European leaders issued statements saying they were ready to deliver a joint response to Trump's tariff threats.

Meanwhile, Bild reported that German troops had left Greenland ahead of schedule without any explanation.