Andrew Pasder, the US Ambassador to the European Union, has sought to clarify remarks made by President Donald Trump regarding Greenland, stating that they were misinterpreted in Europe. He emphasized that the President had no intentions of military action against the Arctic territory.
During a speech at the Brussels Economic Security Forum, Pasder explained that Trump’s controversial statements were intended to draw attention to Greenland’s strategic significance, and European partners should not have taken them too seriously.
“You get cappuccino for the coffee, not for the foam. So let’s focus on the coffee, not the foam. A large part of this is the foam,”
Pasder remarked, likening the European reaction to a popular coffee drink.
He noted that the European response suggested a direct threat to Greenland’s territorial integrity, although he stressed that the President never indicated plans for an invasion.
Throughout his second term, Trump has repeatedly raised the issue of annexing Greenland and even hinted at military involvement, which has sparked significant concern across Europe.
Pasder’s comments followed a statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting, where he referred to Greenland as part of Denmark, albeit with a vague remark about its status “for now.”
In previous discussions, Trump had asserted that the US should take control of Greenland for security reasons. In early 2026, the US announced tariffs against eight European nations to exert pressure for control over the island, although this threat was later rescinded due to a downturn in global markets.
Reports have also indicated that a special representative of Trump is set to visit Greenland for a business conference in the capital, Nuuk. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry traveled there in late May.
Additionally, journalists uncovered that the US is engaged in secret negotiations to establish new bases in Greenland, aiming to enhance its military presence in the region. Washington is looking to set up three new observation sites to monitor activities by Russia and China in the Arctic.
Following these developments, Greenland announced progress in talks with the US during the visit of American diplomats. However, the island’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, firmly stated that Greenland is not for sale, annexation, or occupation.
US Ambassador Andrew Pasder clarified President Trump's comments on Greenland, stating they were misinterpreted and not indicative of military intentions. The remarks come amid ongoing discussions about the island's strategic importance and US military presence in the Arctic region.
Source: RBK-Ukraine