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Just this morning, a so-called Alliance of the Determined, largely composed of EU heads of state, convened in the French capital with representatives of US President Donald Trump, hoping to make further headway on a lasting peace agreement for the embattled nation.

With Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky asserting that a roadmap to conclude the war with Russia is "largely complete", nobody in that gathering wanted to endanger maintaining the Americans onboard.

Yet, there was an immense elephant in the room in that impressive and luxurious Paris meeting, and the underlying mood was extremely strained.

Recall the actions of the last few days: the US administration's contentious involvement in Venezuela and the President Trump's assertion following this, that "we need Greenland from the perspective of strategic interests".

Greenland is the world's biggest island – it's six times the size of Germany. It is situated in the Arctic but is an autonomous possession of Copenhagen.

At the summit, Mette Frederiksen, Denmark's Prime Minister, was positioned opposite two powerful individuals representing Trump: special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's adviser Jared Kushner.

She was under pressure from her EU allies to avoid provoking the US over the Arctic question, lest that undermines US backing for Ukraine.

EU heads of state would have greatly desired to keep Greenland and the negotiations on the war distinct. But with the tensions rising from Washington and Denmark, leaders of major states at the talks put out a declaration asserting: "The island is part of NATO. Defense in the Arctic must therefore be secured jointly, in partnership with NATO allies including the America".

"The decision is for Denmark and the Greenlandic authorities, and no one else, to determine on affairs concerning the kingdom and its autonomous territory," the communiqué added.

The communique was greeted by Nuuk's head of government, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but critics argue it was delayed to be put together and, due to the small set of endorsers to the declaration, it failed to demonstrate a European Union aligned in objective.

"If there had been a joint position from all 27 member states, along with NATO ally the UK, in backing of Danish authority, that would have conveyed a powerful signal to the US," stated a European foreign policy analyst.

Reflect on the irony at hand at the Paris summit. Multiple EU national and other leaders, such as NATO and the European Union, are seeking to engage the Trump administration in protecting the future independence of a EU nation (Ukraine) against the hostile land claims of an foreign power (Russia), immediately after the US has entered independent Venezuela with force, detaining its leader, while also still openly threatening the sovereignty of a different EU member (Denmark).

To compound the situation – Copenhagen and the US are both signatories of the military bloc the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. They are, according to Copenhagen, exceptionally close allies. At least, they were.

The question is, should Trump act upon his desire to acquire Greenland, would it constitute not just an fundamental challenge to the alliance but also a profound problem for the EU?

Europe Risks Being Trampled Underfoot

This is far from the first instance President Trump has voiced his determination to control Greenland. He's floated the idea of purchasing it in the past. He's also left open the possibility of taking it by force.

He insisted that the island is "so strategic right now, it is frequented by foreign vessels all over the place. We need Greenland from the perspective of strategic interests and Denmark is unable to provide security".

Copenhagen contests that claim. It not long ago pledged to spend $4bn in the island's defense for boats, drones and aircraft.

Pursuant to a treaty, the US operates a defense installation presently on the island – established at the onset of the Cold War. It has scaled down the figure of personnel there from approximately 10,000 during peak the confrontation to approximately 200 and the US has long been accused of neglecting Arctic Security, until now.

Copenhagen has suggested it is open to discussion about a larger US footprint on the territory and further cooperation but confronted by the US President's assertion of unilateral action, Frederiksen said on Monday that Washington's desire to control Greenland should be taken seriously.

After the American intervention in Venezuela this past few days, her counterparts across Europe are taking it seriously.

"This whole situation has just highlighted – for the umpteenth time – Europe's core weakness {