分类： politics

In a strategic diplomatic move, Canada is deploying its highest-ranking Indigenous official and foreign minister to Greenland early next February. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the visit would include Governor General Mary Simon, Canada’s first Indigenous governor general of Inuk descent, and Foreign Minister Anita Anand. The delegation plans to establish a Canadian consulate in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital.

This development occurs against the backdrop of renewed territorial assertions from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly suggested American acquisition of Greenland and even referenced Canada becoming ‘the 51st state.’ Greenland, with its predominantly Inuit population of approximately 56,000, operates as a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Prime Minister Carney, during meetings with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at Canada’s Paris embassy, emphatically stated that “the future of Greenland and Denmark are decided solely by the people of Denmark.” This position received robust international support as leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom jointly affirmed Greenland’s sovereignty, recognizing the mineral-rich Arctic island “belongs to its people.”

The diplomatic coordination took place alongside the Coalition of the Willing talks on Ukraine, with Carney specifically arranging meetings with Frederiksen and NATO’s secretary general. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to Arctic security cooperation within the NATO framework, with Frederiksen acknowledging Canada’s “respect for national sovereignty.”

Professor Daniel Béland of McGill University highlighted the delicate balance Canada must maintain, noting that while demonstrating solidarity with Greenland is crucial for Arctic governance and international law principles, the Canadian government must simultaneously avoid jeopardizing ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.

PARIS – A high-stakes diplomatic gathering in Paris has revealed profound fractures in transatlantic relations as European leaders struggled to balance Ukraine peace negotiations with growing U.S. territorial ambitions toward Greenland. The meeting, attended by the U.S. delegation including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Advisor Jared Kushner, occurred against a backdrop of escalating tension following recent U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and President Trump’s explicit interest in acquiring Greenland for national security purposes.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen faced immense pressure from European counterparts to avoid confrontation over Greenland, fearing potential repercussions for U.S. support in Ukraine. Despite efforts to separate the issues, leaders from major European nations issued a carefully worded statement acknowledging Greenland’s NATO status while asserting that “only Denmark and Greenland can decide matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

The diplomatic communique, though welcomed by Greenland’s Premier Jens Frederik Nielsen, revealed Europe’s disunity as it lacked signatures from all EU members and NATO ally Britain. Camille Grande of the European Council on Foreign Relations noted that broader participation would have delivered a stronger message to Washington.

This situation presents a stark geopolitical paradox: European leaders seek U.S. cooperation in protecting Ukrainian sovereignty from Russian aggression while responding to American threats against Danish territory. The irony intensifies considering both nations are NATO allies, with Denmark having recently pledged $4 billion toward Greenland’s defense infrastructure.

President Trump has consistently expressed interest in Greenland, previously suggesting purchase and refusing to rule out military action. His Sunday remarks emphasized the island’s strategic importance, claiming Russian and Chinese naval presence justifies U.S. control—an assertion Denmark strongly contests.

The U.S. maintains a military presence in Greenland through the Thule Air Base, established during the Cold War. While personnel has dwindled from 10,000 to approximately 200, recent developments suggest renewed American interest in Arctic security.

European response has been notably cautious, with initial silence from major powers followed by tempered statements supporting Danish sovereignty. An anonymous EU official acknowledged the situation highlights “Europe’s fundamental weakness vis-à-vis Trump,” reflecting broader concerns about the bloc’s inability to present a unified front.

Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Juliane Smith warned this crisis “risks breaking the EU” and presents an existential dilemma for NATO. The alliance’s Article 5 collective defense clause doesn’t explicitly cover conflicts between member states, as demonstrated during the 1974 Cyprus conflict between Turkey and Greece.

With Europe remaining heavily dependent on U.S. military capabilities despite increased defense spending commitments, the Greenland situation exposes fundamental power imbalances. As White House Deputy Chief of Staff bluntly stated, “Nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.”

In a significant wartime leadership reorganization, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has restructured the nation’s security apparatus by replacing Security Service (SBU) chief Vasyl Malyuk and designating Major General Yevhenii Khmara as acting head. This decision represents the latest in a series of strategic personnel adjustments since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

The SBU, traditionally responsible for domestic security and counter-intelligence operations, has dramatically expanded its mandate during the conflict, orchestrating sophisticated sabotage missions and targeted assassinations deep within Russian territory. Malyuk, who had commanded the agency since the war’s inception, earned national recognition for his aggressive campaign against Russian assets and successful purging of suspected double agents from SBU ranks.

His removal sparked considerable controversy within Ukrainian defense circles, particularly given his celebrated coordination of last June’s ‘Spider Web’ offensive—a daring operation involving over 100 drones striking Russian airbases. Reports indicating Malyuk’s initial refusal to relinquish his position voluntarily further intensified scrutiny of Zelensky’s decision.

Despite the dismissal, Malyuk will retain operational control over special missions against Russian forces, with Zelensky emphasizing Ukraine’s critical need for ‘asymmetric operations’ and describing Malyuk as uniquely qualified for such tasks.

Khmara, Malyuk’s successor and co-architect of the Spider Web operation, brings substantial battlefield credentials to the role. The decorated officer participated in the liberation of Kyiv region in 2022 and engaged in combat operations against Russian forces in occupied Donetsk. His appointment requires formal confirmation by Ukraine’s parliament, where approval remains uncertain.

Analysts offer divergent perspectives on the leadership transition. Former SBU operative Ivan Stupak suggests the move connects to the recent appointment of former spy chief Kyrylo Budanov as Zelensky’s chief of staff, noting historical tensions between Malyuk and Budanov. Conversely, political analyst Oleksandr Notevskyi praises Khmara’s operational record leading Alpha, one of SBU’s elite divisions, describing him as ‘young, experienced, and specialized in eliminating Russia’s military capacities.’

The restructuring occurs as Ukraine increasingly relies on asymmetric warfare tactics—targeting energy infrastructure, weapons manufacturing facilities, and military airbases—amid challenges in conventional battlefield operations against Russian forces along the eastern front.