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Earlier today, a informal Alliance of the Willing, predominantly composed of European officials, gathered in Paris with delegates of President Trump, attempting to achieve more progress on a sustainable settlement for the embattled nation.

With Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky declaring that a framework to conclude the conflict with Russia is "nearly finalized", not a single person in that room wished to endanger retaining the US engaged.

Yet, there was an colossal glaring omission in that opulent and glittering gathering, and the underlying atmosphere was profoundly tense.

Consider the events of the recent days: the White House's controversial incursion in Venezuela and the American leader's declaration soon after, that "our national security requires Greenland from the perspective of national security".

This massive island is the world's largest island – it's 600% the dimensions of Germany. It is situated in the far north but is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.

At the Paris meeting, Mette Frederiksen, Copenhagen's leader, was seated across from two key figures representing Trump: emissary Steve Witkoff and Trump's relative Jared Kushner.

She was under pressure from European colleagues to avoid antagonising the US over the Arctic question, in case that impacts US assistance for Ukraine.

EU heads of state would have greatly desired to separate the Arctic dispute and the debate on Ukraine separate. But with the diplomatic heat mounting from the White House and Denmark, representatives of big states at the Paris meeting released a statement stating: "The island is part of NATO. Security in the Arctic must therefore be secured collectively, in cooperation with treaty partners such as the America".

"The decision is for Copenhagen and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters related to the kingdom and its autonomous territory," the communiqué added.

The communique was received positively by Nuuk's head of government, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but critics argue it was delayed to be put together and, because of the limited number of signatories to the declaration, it did not manage to show a European Union united in intent.

"Were there a unified statement from all 27 European Union countries, along with NATO ally the UK, in backing of Copenhagen's sovereignty, that would have delivered a powerful signal to Washington," stated a European defense analyst.

Consider the irony at work at the Paris summit. Multiple European national and other officials, such as the alliance and the European Union, are seeking to involve the White House in protecting the future independence of a EU nation (the Eastern European nation) against the hostile geopolitical designs of an foreign power (Moscow), just after the US has swooped into independent Venezuela with force, taking its president into custody, while also still openly challenging the territorial integrity of another European nation (Denmark).

To make matters even more stark – Denmark and the US are both signatories of the defensive pact the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. They are, in the view of Danish officials, extremely strong partners. At least, they were.

The question is, should Trump fulfill his ambition to bring Greenland under US control, would it constitute not just an fundamental challenge to NATO but also a significant problem for the EU?

Europe Risks Being Overlooked

This is far from the first instance President Trump has voiced his resolve to dominate the Arctic island. He's suggested purchasing it in the past. He's also refused to rule out forcible annexation.

He insisted that the landmass is "vitally important right now, Greenland is frequented by foreign vessels all over the place. We need Greenland from the perspective of national security and Denmark is incapable to provide security".

Copenhagen refutes that claim. It not long ago committed to spend $4bn in Arctic security for boats, drones and aircraft.

As per a bilateral agreement, the US operates a military base already on Greenland – set up at the start of the Cold War. It has cut the figure of personnel there from around 10,000 during the height of the confrontation to about 200 and the US has frequently been criticized of taking its eye off the northern theater, up to this point.

Denmark has signaled it is open to discussion about a expanded US role on the territory and additional measures but confronted by the US President's threat of independent moves, Frederiksen said on Monday that the US leader's goal to take Greenland should be taken seriously.

After the US administration's actions in Venezuela this weekend, her colleges in Europe are heeding that warning.

"This whole situation has just highlighted – once again – the EU's fundamental weakness {