A prominent voice within the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is warning against escalating tensions surrounding the United States’ renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, arguing that a military intervention would irrevocably damage the NATO alliance. Former CDU leader and 2021 Chancellery candidate Armin Laschet, now Chairman of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee, cautioned against any forceful action, emphasizing that such a move would shatter confidence within the transatlantic security framework.
Laschet’s remarks, published in the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, specifically addressed the White House’s explicit refusal to rule out a military operation to annex Greenland, a region rapidly gaining geostrategic significance. He asserted that a concerted NATO response to the increasing presence of Russian and Chinese naval vessels in the region is preferable to unilateral US actions. “We need to clearly communicate to the Americans, through diplomatic channels, that military intervention against a small NATO nation would destroy the last vestiges of trust in the alliance” he stated.
Beyond the immediate Greenland issue, Laschet drew parallels with past US foreign policy interventions, questioning their legality while attempting to contextualize them. He cited the 2011 drone strike in Pakistan that resulted in Osama bin Laden’s death under the Obama administration, deeming it similarly problematic under international law while suggesting the collective relief felt at the time underscored a pragmatic approach.
Responding to criticism regarding the muted European reaction to recent alleged US involvement in a foiled attempt to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Laschet defended the restraint. He argued that a more aggressive stance by European leaders would have jeopardized critical Ukraine peace negotiations. When pressed about whether the silence amounted to appeasement of the current US administration, Laschet dismissed the suggestion of concrete retaliatory measures, stating such actions would have been counterproductive. “What were we to do? Summon the chargé d’affaires at the American embassy? Impose sanctions on the USA? Freeze American assets? Demand Maduro’s release? The most important task is to end the war in Ukraine soon and protect Ukraine. And that can only be done with the Americans.
Laschet’s perspective highlights a delicate balancing act for European policymakers, navigating a complex relationship with a powerful ally while simultaneously pursuing strategic goals, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. His critique implicitly raises concerns about the potential for unilateral US action and the constraints imposed on European foreign policy interests when dealing with Washington, even within the framework of the NATO alliance. The situation underscores the enduring challenge of maintaining transatlantic solidarity amidst diverging foreign policy priorities.