标签： Europe

Former President Donald Trump has reignited geopolitical interest in Greenland by claiming to have established a preliminary framework for future agreements concerning the island’s defense infrastructure and mineral rights. This development underscores Greenland’s growing strategic value due to its vast deposits of rare earth elements essential for electronics, green energy, and military technologies.

Geological surveys indicate Greenland possesses 25 of the 34 minerals classified as critical raw materials by the European Commission, including graphite, niobium, and titanium. While Trump publicly emphasizes security concerns regarding Russian and Chinese Arctic expansion, analysts suggest resource acquisition remains a primary motivator. “This is fundamentally about securing those resources and preventing Chinese dominance,” stated Professor Steven Lamy of the University of Southern California.

The U.S. has intensified engagement with Greenland since reopening its Nuuk consulate in 2020. Recent actions include approving $120 million in financing through the Export-Import Bank for a American mining project there, aligning with broader efforts to diversify rare earth supplies away from China. Allies like UN Ambassador Mike Waltz emphasize Greenland’s multidimensional value: “This concerns shipping lanes, energy resources, fisheries, and ultimately national security.”

However, significant challenges persist. Greenland’s mining industry faces extreme operational hurdles including harsh weather, insufficient infrastructure, and limited labor. Although climate change is gradually exposing new mineral-rich areas and potential hydroelectric sources, only two active mines currently operate despite 100 exploration permits being issued. Researchers like Mikkel Runge Olesen note that while mineral quantities are substantial, extraction costs remain prohibitively high.

Critics question whether U.S. control is necessary for resource access, while experts characterize current mining prospects as largely theoretical. Dr. Patrick Schröder of Chatham House acknowledged Greenland’s potential to “shift the dial” in global mineral supply chains, though Jennifer Spence of Harvard’s Arctic Initiative noted operations remain “all still about potential” despite the evident economic and strategic interests driving Trump’s approach.

LONDON — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited fierce condemnation from British officials and military families following controversial remarks questioning NATO allies’ combat commitment during the Afghanistan conflict. Speaking during a Fox News interview in Davos on Thursday, Trump cast doubt on NATO’s reliability while suggesting non-American troops deliberately avoided front-line engagement.

The comments struck a particularly raw nerve in the United Kingdom, which deployed over 150,000 personnel to Afghanistan—the largest contingent after the United States—with 456 ultimately sacrificing their lives. British Defense Secretary John Healey emphasized that UK forces ‘answered the U.S. call’ following the 9/11 attacks, stating fallen troops should be ‘remembered as heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.’

Lawmaker Ben Obese-Jecty, a former captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment who served in Afghanistan, expressed dismay at seeing ‘our nation’s sacrifice, and that of our NATO partners, held so cheaply.’ The criticism extended to Trump’s personal military service record, with author Stephen Stewart highlighting the ‘huge irony’ of draft deferment recipient Trump questioning others’ combat commitment.

The controversy emerges amid escalating transatlantic tensions following Trump’s threats to seize Greenland—a semi-autonomous Danish territory—and impose tariffs on European nations. Historical context further contradicts Trump’s assertions: Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty, the mutual defense clause, was invoked only once—in response to the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

Denmark, which suffered the highest per capita casualties among coalition forces in Afghanistan, exemplified this commitment through former platoon commander Martin Tamm Andersen’s reminder: ‘When America needed us after 9/11 we were there.’

The remarks have prompted calls for diplomatic pushback, with Diane Dernie—mother of a severely injured British soldier—describing Trump’s comments as ‘the ultimate insult’ and urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to ‘make a stand for those who fought for this country.’

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey is witnessing a significant geopolitical shift in neighboring Syria following the swift collapse of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) under a new offensive by Damascus. The development marks a strategic triumph for Ankara, which has long considered Kurdish militias as direct threats to national security.

The SDF, once the primary U.S. ally in the fight against the Islamic State, lost substantial territory in northern Syria within just two weeks. Facing military pressure from interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s government, the group agreed to dissolve and integrate its fighters individually into the Syrian national military—a move that effectively ends its autonomous presence.

Turkey’s support for al-Sharaa’s administration has been instrumental. Turkish intelligence provided operational guidance during the offensive, facilitating SDF withdrawals from key areas like Aleppo while coordinating with the U.S.-led international coalition to minimize civilian casualties. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan publicly praised the Syrian government, emphasizing Turkey’s commitment to a unified Syria free of separatist entities along its border.

Washington’s decision not to intervene on behalf of the SDF signalled a major policy shift, aligning U.S. interests with the consolidation of Syria’s central government. Analysts attribute this change partly to Erdoğan’s diplomatic rapport with U.S. leadership and a strategic pivot toward engaging state actors rather than non-state armed groups.

The dissolution of the SDF also strengthens Turkey’s domestic peace process with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which began disarming earlier this year. With the SDF neutralized, a major obstacle to reconciliation is removed—though concerns remain regarding potential backlash among Turkey’s Kurdish population.

Despite calls from some SDF representatives for Israeli intervention, regional dynamics remained stable following behind-the-scenes agreements between Syria and Israel, further isolating the Kurdish force and enabling its rapid integration into state structures.

FRANKFURT, Germany — The European Union has declared its readiness to provisionally implement a comprehensive free trade agreement with South America’s Mercosur bloc, despite recent parliamentary obstacles. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Friday that the EU would move forward once at least one Mercosur nation completes ratification.

Speaking at the conclusion of the Brussels summit where multiple national leaders addressed the matter, von der Leyen emphasized the collective interest in expediting the agreement’s benefits. “We maintain a clear interest in ensuring this agreement’s advantages take effect at the earliest opportunity,” she stated during a press briefing. “In essence, our preparedness matches theirs.”

The Commission President clarified that no formal implementation decision has been finalized. Supporting this position, Antonio Costa, head of the EU Council, confirmed the executive commission’s jurisdictional authority to proceed with interim application.

This development occurs despite the European Parliament’s narrow Wednesday vote to refer the trade pact to the European Court of Justice for legal examination, effectively stalling ratification until judicial review completion—a process potentially requiring months.

The Mercosur-EU agreement represents a cornerstone of Brussels’ strategy to diversify trade partnerships beyond historical U.S. dependencies, particularly following strained relations during Donald Trump’s presidency. The accord, championed by South American agricultural producers and European industrial sectors, proposes the progressive elimination of over 90% tariffs on commodities ranging from Argentine beef to German automobiles.

France, the EU’s primary agricultural producer, continues advocating for enhanced farmer protections and has sought to postpone the pact. Conversely, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz characterized the parliamentary delay as “regrettable” while urging provisional implementation.

Ratification appears virtually assured within South America, where the agreement enjoys substantial support. The Mercosur bloc comprises Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, with Bolivia excluded from the current agreement but potential future inclusion possible. Venezuela remains suspended from the bloc and is not party to the agreement.

Despite the UK government’s pledge to take assertive action against Russian oil sanctions evasion, dozens of sanctioned tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet have continued to transit the English Channel throughout January. BBC Verify tracking data reveals that 42 sanctioned vessels passed through these strategic waters even after British defense officials received legal authorization to detain such ships under the Sanctions and Money Act 2018.

The shadow fleet—comprising hundreds of aging tankers with obscured ownership—has become Russia’s primary mechanism for circumventing oil embargoes imposed since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Among the vessels that transited the Channel was the Sofos, sanctioned by the UK Foreign Office in May 2025. This tanker executed a complex route: loading oil in Russia mid-November, traveling to Turkey, then proceeding to Venezuela where it disabled its tracking system. Satellite imagery confirmed its presence at Venezuela’s Jose oil terminal in late December before reappearing near Russian waters.

Another notable vessel, the Nasledie (formerly Blint), underwent identity transformation in November 2025 by changing its name and switching from a false Comoros registration to Russian registry. This 20-year-old tanker, carrying approximately 100,000 tonnes of Urals crude, entered the Channel just days after BBC reported on the UK’s new legal authority to intercept shadow vessels.

While the UK has assisted allied forces in seizing tankers near Iceland and in the Mediterranean, British troops have yet to independently detain any shadow fleet vessels. This inaction persists despite BBC Verify identifying six tankers operating under false flags in Channel waters—a condition that legally classifies them as stateless vessels subject to seizure under international maritime law.

Political figures have expressed frustration with this enforcement gap. Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee, stated she was ‘very disappointed’ by the lack of interceptions. Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin, a former British Army officer, questioned the reluctance to act independently given Royal Marines’ capability for such operations.

Russia has responded to increased Western pressure with both diplomatic warnings and military escorts. The warship General Skobelev accompanied a sanctioned tanker through the Channel on January 20, while Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova declared any vessel detention would be viewed as ‘harming Russian interests’ and violating international law.

The economic stakes remain substantial. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, shadow fleet tankers transport between $87-$100 billion worth of oil annually. Recent analysis indicates 68% of all Russian crude oil was carried on sanctioned tankers in December 2025, providing critical economic support for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.

Despite Ministry of Defense assertions that disrupting the shadow fleet remains a government priority, enforcement challenges persist. Tankers continue employing sophisticated evasion tactics including identity changes, tracking signal manipulation, and false location broadcasts—strategies that complicate monitoring efforts and enable continued sanctions circumvention.

In a significant diplomatic development, Russian, Ukrainian, and United States negotiators are scheduled to hold trilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates on Friday. This meeting marks the first formal engagement attended by all three nations since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago.

The Kremlin confirmed Russian participation following preliminary discussions between President Vladimir Putin and US envoys in Moscow. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov characterized these initial talks as “substantive, constructive and very frank,” while reiterating Moscow’s position that territorial resolution remains prerequisite to any lasting peace agreement. “Until this is achieved,” Ushakov stated, “Russia will continue to consistently pursue the objectives of the special military operation.”

The Russian delegation to the Abu Dhabi talks will be led by General Igor Kostyukov, director of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency, with investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev conducting separate economic discussions with US representatives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, emphasized that territorial control remains the central obstacle to peace. “It’s all about the land. This is the issue which is not solved yet,” Zelensky told reporters, adding that “the Russians have to be ready for compromises, not only Ukraine.” Specific disputes include Russia’s demand for Ukraine to relinquish the remaining 25% of Donetsk region still under Kyiv’s control.

Zelensky has assembled a high-level negotiating team including National Security and Defense Council head Rustem Umerov, presidential office chief Kyrylo Budanov, and lead negotiator David Arakhamia, who will be joined in the UAE by Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov.

The Ukrainian president revealed that a US-proposed 20-point peace plan is approximately 90% complete, featuring provisions for a demilitarized free economic zone in Donbas in exchange for security guarantees for Kyiv. Zelensky confirmed reaching preliminary agreement with former President Donald Trump regarding future US security guarantees, though any final agreement would require ratification by both the US Congress and Ukrainian parliament.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, the conflict continues to impact civilian infrastructure, with Zelensky initially considering canceling his Davos trip to address aftermath of Russian strikes on Kyiv’s power systems that have left portions of the capital without heating, water, or electricity during extreme winter conditions.