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Just this morning, a so-called Group of the Committed, largely consisting of European leaders, convened in Paris with representatives of President Trump, attempting to secure further progress on a sustainable settlement for Ukraine.

With Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky declaring that a plan to conclude the conflict with Russia is "largely complete", nobody in that gathering wished to risk keeping the Americans onboard.

Yet, there was an colossal unspoken issue in that grand and sparkling summit, and the prevailing mood was exceptionally uneasy.

Consider the developments of the past week: the Trump administration's divisive incursion in Venezuela and the American leader's assertion shortly thereafter, that "our national security requires Greenland from the viewpoint of defense".

This massive island is the world's largest island – it's six times the dimensions of Germany. It is located in the Arctic region but is an autonomous possession of Denmark's.

At the summit, Mette Frederiksen, Copenhagen's leader, was sitting opposite two key personalities speaking on behalf of Trump: diplomat Steve Witkoff and Trump's adviser Jared Kushner.

She was facing pressure from European colleagues to avoid provoking the US over Greenland, in case that impacts US backing for the Ukrainian cause.

The continent's officials would have greatly desired to separate the Arctic dispute and the debate on Ukraine apart. But with the diplomatic heat mounting from the White House and Denmark, leaders of major states at the talks released a statement asserting: "This territory is part of the alliance. Security in the North must therefore be achieved together, in cooperation with alliance members such as the United States".

"Sovereignty is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning the kingdom and its autonomous territory," the statement added.

The statement was received positively by Nuuk's head of government, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but analysts argue it was delayed to be drafted and, owing to the limited group of endorsers to the statement, it was unable to project a Europe united in objective.

"Had there been a unified position from all 27 European Union countries, plus alliance partner the UK, in backing of Danish sovereignty, that would have delivered a powerful warning to Washington," stated a European defense expert.

Consider the paradox at play at the France meeting. Numerous European national and other officials, from NATO and the European Union, are trying to secure the cooperation of the White House in protecting the future autonomy of a EU nation (the Eastern European nation) against the aggressive geopolitical designs of an outside force (Moscow), just after the US has entered sovereign Venezuela by armed intervention, arresting its head of state, while also still actively challenging the territorial integrity of another continental ally (the Kingdom of Denmark).

To add to the complexity – Denmark and the US are both members of the military bloc NATO. They are, as stated by Copenhagen, profoundly close allies. Or were.

The question is, if Trump were to fulfill his goal to acquire Greenland, would it mark not just an existential threat to the alliance but also a significant challenge for the European Union?

Europe Faces the Danger of Being Marginalized

This is not an isolated incident President Trump has voiced his intention to control the Arctic island. He's suggested purchasing it in the past. He's also not excluded taking it by force.

On Sunday that the territory is "vitally important right now, it is covered with Russian and Chinese vessels all over the place. It is imperative to have Greenland from the vantage point of national security and Denmark is unable to do it".

Denmark strongly denies that assertion. It not long ago vowed to spend $4bn in the island's defense encompassing boats, drones and aircraft.

Under a treaty, the US operates a military base currently on the island – established at the onset of the Cold War. It has cut the number of staff there from approximately 10,000 during peak that era to approximately 200 and the US has frequently been criticized of neglecting polar defense, up to this point.

Copenhagen has indicated it is amenable to dialogue about a expanded US role on the territory and further cooperation but in light of the US President's threat of unilateral action, the Danish PM said on Monday that Trump's ambition to control Greenland should be treated with gravity.

After the US administration's actions in Venezuela this weekend, her fellow leaders across Europe are doing just that.

"The current crisis has just emphasized – for the umpteenth time – Europe's fundamental weakness {