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Earlier today, a informal Group of the Committed, predominantly composed of EU officials, gathered in the French capital with delegates of President Trump, attempting to secure more advances on a lasting settlement for Ukraine.

With Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky asserting that a roadmap to conclude the war with Russia is "nearly finalized", nobody in that meeting desired to jeopardise keeping the Washington engaged.

Yet, there was an enormous glaring omission in that grand and glittering Paris meeting, and the fundamental atmosphere was exceptionally tense.

Consider the developments of the last few days: the White House's contentious involvement in the South American nation and the President Trump's assertion soon after, that "we need Greenland from the perspective of national security".

This massive island is the world's greatest island – it's 600% the dimensions of Germany. It is located in the Arctic but is an self-governing territory of Denmark's.

At the summit, Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister, was sitting facing two influential personalities speaking on behalf of Trump: diplomat Steve Witkoff and Trump's adviser Jared Kushner.

She was subject to urging from European counterparts to refrain from provoking the US over the Arctic question, for fear that that affects US backing for the Ukrainian cause.

EU heads of state would have greatly desired to keep Greenland and the debate on the war distinct. But with the tensions escalating from Washington and Denmark, representatives of big European nations at the talks put out a communiqué stating: "This territory is part of the alliance. Defense in the Arctic must therefore be secured collectively, in partnership with NATO allies such as the United States".

"It is for Denmark and the Greenlandic authorities, and no one else, to decide on issues related to Denmark and Greenland," the communiqué continued.

The communique was received positively by Greenland's prime minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but critics contend it was tardy to be formulated and, because of the small number of supporters to the declaration, it did not manage to project a Europe in agreement in purpose.

"If there had been a unified declaration from all 27 European Union countries, in addition to alliance partner the UK, in backing of Copenhagen's control, that would have sent a powerful warning to Washington," commented a EU defense specialist.

Consider the contradiction at play at the France meeting. Numerous EU government and other officials, including NATO and the EU, are trying to engage the Trump administration in safeguarding the future independence of a EU nation (the Eastern European nation) against the hostile geopolitical designs of an outside force (Moscow), on the heels of the US has swooped into sovereign Venezuela with force, taking its president into custody, while also persistently publicly threatening the sovereignty of a different European nation (the Kingdom of Denmark).

To add to the complexity – Denmark and the US are both signatories of the military bloc the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. They are, according to Copenhagen, extremely key friends. Or were.

The question is, were Trump to make good on his goal to assert control over the island, would it constitute not just an existential threat to NATO but also a major challenge for the European Union?

Europe Risks Being Marginalized

This is not an isolated incident Trump has voiced his determination to control the Arctic island. He's suggested purchasing it in the past. He's also not excluded a military seizure.

On Sunday that the landmass is "vitally important right now, Greenland is frequented by foreign ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the vantage point of strategic interests and Denmark is not going to be able to provide security".

Denmark strongly denies that last statement. It not long ago pledged to allocate $4bn in the island's defense encompassing boats, drones and aircraft.

Pursuant to a mutual pact, the US maintains a defense installation currently on the island – founded at the start of the Cold War. It has reduced the number of troops there from approximately 10,000 during peak the confrontation to about 200 and the US has frequently been criticized of overlooking polar defense, until now.

Copenhagen has suggested it is willing to talk about a expanded US role on the island and more but confronted by the US President's assertion of independent moves, the Danish PM said on Monday that Washington's desire to acquire Greenland should be taken seriously.

After the American intervention in Venezuela this past few days, her fellow leaders in Europe are heeding that warning.

"These developments has just underlined – for the umpteenth time – Europe's basic vulnerability {