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Just this morning, a self-styled Alliance of the Willing, largely made up of European officials, gathered in the French capital with representatives of the Trump administration, attempting to secure additional headway on a sustainable peace deal for the embattled nation.

With Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky asserting that a plan to halt the war with Russia is "nearly finalized", not a single person in that meeting wanted to jeopardise maintaining the Americans engaged.

Yet, there was an immense unspoken issue in that grand and glittering Paris meeting, and the prevailing atmosphere was exceptionally uneasy.

Consider the events of the recent days: the US administration's contentious intervention in Venezuela and the American leader's declaration shortly thereafter, that "our national security requires Greenland from the viewpoint of defense".

Greenland is the world's largest island – it's sixfold the size of Germany. It is situated in the far north but is an autonomous region of Denmark's.

At the summit, Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister, was seated facing two influential personalities representing Trump: diplomat Steve Witkoff and Trump's relative Jared Kushner.

She was subject to urging from European counterparts to refrain from alienating the US over the Arctic question, in case that undermines US support for Ukraine.

The continent's officials would have much rather to separate Greenland and the discussions on the war distinct. But with the tensions mounting from Washington and Copenhagen, representatives of big EU countries at the gathering put out a declaration stating: "The island is part of NATO. Security in the Arctic must therefore be secured collectively, in partnership with NATO allies including the America".

"It is for Denmark and Greenland, and no one else, to determine on affairs concerning the kingdom and Greenland," the statement further stated.

The statement was received positively by Nuuk's head of government, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but observers say it was delayed to be drafted and, due to the limited set of supporters to the declaration, it was unable to project a European Union in agreement in purpose.

"Were there a common declaration from all 27 EU partners, in addition to NATO ally the UK, in backing of Danish sovereignty, that would have sent a resounding signal to America," stated a EU defense analyst.

Reflect on the paradox at work at the France meeting. Multiple European government and other officials, such as NATO and the EU, are trying to involve the US administration in safeguarding the future independence of a EU nation (Ukraine) against the aggressive geopolitical designs of an external actor (Russia), just after the US has swooped into sovereign Venezuela with force, detaining its leader, while also persistently openly threatening the sovereignty of another EU member (Denmark).

To add to the complexity – Copenhagen and the US are both members of the defensive pact NATO. They are, according to Danish officials, profoundly strong partners. Previously, they were considered so.

The dilemma is, were Trump to act upon his ambition to assert control over the island, would it mark not just an fundamental challenge to the alliance but also a significant challenge for the EU?

Europe Faces the Danger of Being Overlooked

This is far from the first instance President Trump has voiced his resolve to dominate the Arctic island. He's suggested buying it in the past. He's also refused to rule out a military seizure.

Recently that the landmass is "so strategic right now, Greenland is frequented by Russian and Chinese naval assets all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security and Copenhagen is unable to provide security".

Denmark refutes that last statement. It has lately pledged to spend $4bn in the island's defense including boats, drones and aircraft.

Under a mutual pact, the US maintains a defense installation presently on the island – set up at the onset of the East-West standoff. It has reduced the number of staff there from around 10,000 during the height of the confrontation to around 200 and the US has long been accused of taking its eye off the northern theater, until now.

Copenhagen has suggested it is willing to talk about a expanded US presence on the island and more but in light of the US President's assertion of unilateral action, Frederiksen said on Monday that the US leader's goal to acquire Greenland should be treated with gravity.

Following the US administration's actions in Venezuela this weekend, her fellow leaders across Europe are doing just that.

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