The European Union will not enter into a conflict with the United States over Greenland, but will stand by its position as it has the means to do so, the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, addressing a European Parliament meeting discussing the Arctic island and transatlantic relations in Strasbourg.

“We have no interest in starting a war, but we will stand our ground. Europe has a range of tools to defend its interests,” she declared. While direct threats “will not force Denmark to hand over Greenland, they only risk making both Europe and the United States poorer,” she argued.

"The European Union stands unequivocally with Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark in defending their territorial integrity and sovereignty. Saturday's remarks by US President Trump create a situation we have not experienced before. Our response must be to remain calm, stand our ground and act in unity," she declared.

"The United States, Denmark and Greenland have been engaged in direct talks. That's what responsible allies do - they talk. But the tone of these talks matters, and the threats made outside of them," she added.

Kallas again accused Russia and China of alleged attempts to undermine security in the Arctic, while calling on the United States to confront Russia and China in the Arctic and Greenland as part of NATO.