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This very day, a self-styled Coalition of the Determined, predominantly made up of EU heads of state, met in Paris with representatives of President Trump, hoping to make more advances on a lasting peace agreement for the embattled nation.

With President Volodymyr Zelensky insisting that a framework to end the conflict with Russia is "90% of the way there", no-one in that room wished to endanger retaining the Washington involved.

Yet, there was an enormous unspoken issue in that impressive and glittering gathering, and the prevailing atmosphere was exceptionally strained.

Recall the events of the last few days: the US administration's controversial incursion in Venezuela and the US president's declaration following this, that "it is essential to have Greenland from the perspective of defense".

The vast Arctic territory is the world's biggest island – it's six times the size of Germany. It is located in the far north but is an semi-independent territory of Denmark's.

At the summit, Mette Frederiksen, Denmark's Prime Minister, was seated across from two influential figures representing Trump: special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's relative Jared Kushner.

She was under pressure from European counterparts not to alienating the US over the Greenland issue, lest that affects US backing for Ukraine.

Europe's leaders would have greatly desired to separate Greenland and the discussions on the war distinct. But with the diplomatic heat mounting from the White House and Copenhagen, representatives of major European nations at the gathering issued a statement saying: "Greenland is part of the alliance. Defense in the North must therefore be achieved jointly, in conjunction with NATO allies like the America".

"It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to determine on issues related to the kingdom and Greenland," the communiqué continued.

The communique was welcomed by Nuuk's head of government, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but observers contend it was delayed to be formulated and, owing to the restricted set of supporters to the declaration, it did not manage to show a Europe united in intent.

"Had there been a unified position from all 27 European Union countries, plus alliance partner the UK, in support of Danish authority, that would have sent a resounding message to America," noted a EU defense expert.

Consider the irony at play at the France meeting. Multiple EU national and other leaders, such as the alliance and the EU, are trying to secure the cooperation of the US administration in guaranteeing the future sovereignty of a continental state (Ukraine) against the aggressive geopolitical designs of an outside force (Russia), on the heels of the US has intervened in independent Venezuela with force, taking its president into custody, while also still openly challenging the territorial integrity of another continental ally (Denmark).

To make matters even more stark – Copenhagen and the US are both members of the defensive pact NATO. They are, in the view of Copenhagen, profoundly strong partners. Or were.

The question is, were Trump to make good on his ambition to assert control over the island, would it mark not just an severe risk to NATO but also a significant crisis for the EU?

Europe Faces the Danger of Being Marginalized

This is far from the first instance Trump has spoken of his resolve to acquire the Arctic island. He's suggested purchasing it in the past. He's also left open the possibility of taking it by force.

He insisted that the island is "so strategic right now, Greenland is patrolled by Russian and Chinese naval assets all over the place. It is imperative to have Greenland from the vantage point of national security and Copenhagen is incapable to provide security".

Copenhagen contests that assertion. It recently pledged to invest $4bn in Arctic security for boats, drones and aircraft.

Pursuant to a treaty, the US has a defense installation already on the island – established at the beginning of the East-West standoff. It has cut the number of staff there from approximately 10,000 during peak the confrontation to around 200 and the US has often been faulted of taking its eye off polar defense, until now.

Denmark has signaled it is willing to talk about a larger US role on the island and more but faced with the US President's assertion of independent moves, the Danish PM said on Monday that Washington's desire to control Greenland should be considered a real possibility.

In the wake of the Washington's moves in Venezuela this past few days, her fellow leaders in Europe are taking it seriously.

"The current crisis has just emphasized – yet again – Europe's fundamental vulnerability {