EU does not succumb to US pressure on Greenland and trade - media.

Europe discusses defense and partnership issues with the US

The meeting of European leaders that took place on February 3 was dedicated to stronger defense in response to threats from Russia. However, the main focus was on US President Donald Trump. He dominates the media, having initiated a trade war with China and threatened Mexico and Canada - NATO allies. He also left open the possibility of using military force to seize Greenland, which is part of Denmark.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, summarizing the summit, noted that the EU is ready to respond firmly if it becomes a target of aggression from the US. She stated: 'When the European Union becomes a target, unjustly or arbitrarily, it will respond firmly.'

Von der Leyen emphasized that partnership with the US remains the most consistent relationship for the EU and proposed a 'carrot' in the form of increasing defense spending. She noted that the EU is ready to review its fiscal rules to increase defense spending, as requested by countries such as Italy, Poland, and the Baltic states, which do not want to account for defense spending when calculating the EU's deficit and debt limits.

Regarding EU defense spending issues, sources have yet to come to an agreement on the amounts and where this money should come from. The 'buy European' policy regarding armaments is also being discussed. However, EU leaders unanimously support the integrity and inviolability of Denmark and its territory, stating that this is of utmost importance to all member states.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also joined the EU leaders and proposed allowing NATO to provide security for Arctic territory by deploying Alliance troops.