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Earlier today, a self-styled Group of the Determined, predominantly consisting of European leaders, convened in the French capital with representatives of US President Donald Trump, hoping to achieve additional headway on a durable peace agreement for the embattled nation.

With Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky asserting that a plan to conclude the conflict with Russia is "90% of the way there", not a single person in that meeting wanted to jeopardise maintaining the Americans engaged.

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

Consider the actions of the recent days: the US administration's divisive incursion in the South American nation and the US president's insistence following this, that "our national security requires Greenland from the standpoint of national security".

The vast Arctic territory is the world's greatest island – it's six times the area of Germany. It is located in the far north but is an self-governing territory of Denmark's.

At the summit, Mette Frederiksen, Denmark's Prime Minister, was seated opposite two key personalities representing Trump: emissary Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

She was subject to urging from European colleagues to refrain from alienating the US over the Greenland issue, in case that impacts US support for Ukraine.

Europe's leaders would have greatly desired to separate Greenland and the debate on the war distinct. But with the tensions rising from Washington and Denmark, leaders of leading European nations at the talks put out a declaration saying: "This territory is part of the alliance. Stability in the North must therefore be achieved together, in partnership with treaty partners such as the America".

"Sovereignty is for Denmark and Greenland, and no one else, to determine on matters concerning the kingdom and Greenland," the statement continued.

The announcement was greeted by Greenland's prime minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but analysts contend it was delayed to be formulated and, because of the restricted set of signatories to the declaration, it was unable to show a European Union aligned in objective.

"Had there been a joint position from all 27 European Union countries, along with alliance partner the UK, in defense of Danish control, that would have conveyed a resounding signal to Washington," commented a European defense expert.

Reflect on the contradiction at hand at the European gathering. Several European national and other leaders, such as the alliance and the EU, are trying to involve the US administration in protecting the future autonomy of a EU nation (the Eastern European nation) against the expansionist territorial ambitions of an external actor (Moscow), just after the US has entered independent Venezuela with force, taking its president into custody, while also continuing to openly challenging the sovereignty of another EU member (the Kingdom of Denmark).

To make matters even more stark – Copenhagen and the US are both signatories of the defensive pact the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. They are, as stated by Copenhagen, extremely strong partners. At least, they were.

The question is, should Trump make good on his ambition to assert control over the island, would it represent not just an severe risk to the alliance but also a profound crisis for the European Union?

Europe Risks Being Marginalized

This is far from the first instance Trump has voiced his determination to control the Arctic island. He's suggested buying it in the past. He's also left open the possibility of a military seizure.

Recently that the landmass is "crucially located right now, it is frequented by foreign naval assets all over the place. We need Greenland from the vantage point of defense and Copenhagen is incapable to do it".

Copenhagen refutes that assertion. It not long ago vowed to spend $4bn in Greenland defence encompassing boats, drones and aircraft.

Pursuant to a mutual pact, the US maintains a defense installation currently on Greenland – established at the start of the East-West standoff. It has cut the figure of personnel there from approximately 10,000 during the height of that era to approximately 200 and the US has often been faulted of overlooking polar defense, until now.

Copenhagen has indicated it is open to discussion about a bigger US footprint on the island and more but confronted by the US President's threat of unilateral action, Frederiksen said on Monday that Trump's ambition to acquire Greenland should be considered a real possibility.

In the wake of the Washington's moves in Venezuela this past few days, her colleges throughout Europe are heeding that warning.

"The current crisis has just emphasized – once again – Europe's core vulnerability {