President Donald Trump has not ruled out withdrawing American troops from Europe, stating that the final decision will depend on an agreement over Greenland and the situation regarding Iran. The US president’s remarks have drawn a response from Finland, which emphasized that Greenland’s security is guaranteed by NATO.
Trump made the comments on Air Force One while returning from the NATO summit in Ankara. He said no final decision had been taken on the future of U.S. forces in Europe. – A lot will depend on Greenland and whether we make a very good deal on it. If not, I may do that – he stated.
The US president added that Iran also factors into the calculus. – It’s a bit late because basically there isn’t much fighting left, but partly it will depend on Iran – he explained.
Trump’s conditional threat to Europe
Trump also argued that European nations now want to help the United States but missed earlier opportunities. – When they had a chance to come to our aid, they decided not to. Now everyone wants to go and help, but we don’t really need that help. These are small things – he said.
Yet the tone softened after the Ankara summit. Trump praised NATO allies and specifically mentioned Spain, which he had sanctioned the day before. – They made some concessions and I think NATO has made progress – he said. About Spain: – It completely changed its position and was very generous – he noted.
He also highlighted new trade deals with Turkey and spoke positively of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as leaders of Ukraine and Syria, Volodymyr Zelensky and Ahmed al-Shara. – There was great unity at the summit. NATO was truly amazing. There was something very good about it – Trump concluded.
NATO solidarity and Finland’s firm stance
Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen reacted strongly to Trump’s Greenland comments. She underlined that suggestions of a US takeover are unacceptable. – Finland, like the entire Alliance, absolutely supports Denmark and its territorial integrity – she told Yle radio.
Valtonen noted that work is underway to expand defense cooperation between the US and Denmark and to increase NATO’s engagement in the Arctic region. – In Finland, we know particularly well that the Arctic is a much larger area than just Greenland, but everything is connected. Let’s focus on current tasks. Their outcome will certainly be good and sufficient for Trump as well – she assessed.
Earlier, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen had firmly rejected Trump’s renewed push for US control over the island.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
