The European Commission has reaffirmed its strong support for Denmark’s territorial integrity amid renewed tensions over Greenland following comments linked to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking at a daily briefing in Brussels, EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said preserving the sovereignty and inviolability of Denmark’s borders is “essential for the European Union.” The remarks came in response to questions about the U.S. appointing an envoy for Greenland and Denmark’s reaction.
The briefing also covered a wide range of issues, including EU support for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia, diplomatic efforts toward peace, the transfer of a major power plant from Lithuania to Ukraine, and ongoing trade disputes with China. EU officials reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine while maintaining pressure on Russia and defending European economic interests.
00:00Today, we are very pleased to announce the transfer of a full thermal power plant from Lithuania to Ukraine,
00:08capable of providing electricity to 1 million Ukrainians.
00:12This was the largest logistical operation ever coordinated by the European Commission.
00:18It was carried out over 11 months and involved physically moving nearly 2,400 tons of equipment.
00:25The plant is already reinforcing Ukraine's electricity grid and has been critical to emergency repairs after repeated Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
00:37The Cypriot presidency begins in 10 days, if I'm not mistaken.
00:42So, yes, we are in contact with them. Yes, we have been in touch with them to help prepare their presidency.
00:45Yes, we are discussing with them the full range of topics upon which they will be working during their presidency,
00:52including the ongoing work on Ukraine.
00:55As regards to the 20th sanctions package, as you know very well, we don't comment on future packages while they're still under discussion,
01:02except to say that we are working very closely with our member states.
01:06It's just about what President Macron said, that he said that it's time to restart, to talk to Russia.
01:14I wonder if the European Commission has anything to say about this.
01:19And also, if you have decided who is going to, in case you think it is doable,
01:29who is going to talk to Russia on behalf of the EU?
01:33Madame Callas, many thanks.
01:35What you're talking about here is still hypothetical, and we're not going to speculate as to who may represent the European Union
01:47in future hypothetical strands of peace negotiations.
01:52What we can say is that, and I've said it before from this podium, that the path to peace is not straight or linear,
02:01and any efforts that contribute to securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine are welcome from our side.
02:10Anwar, if you want to add anything to that, please go ahead.
02:12I would just again recall here, very happy for the third time, the position of the EU,
02:18which is the following as outlined in the EU co-conclusions of last week,
02:21that A, we do welcome the ongoing diplomatic efforts to put an end to the war,
02:27and B, that we as EU and our member states will continue to actively participate in peace efforts
02:35in accordance with our aim to promote peace as it is enshrined in our treaties.
02:43Many thanks, Anwar.
02:45Tommaso, do you have a follow-up?
02:51I mean, no, but...
02:55Okay, but Tommaso, either you do or you don't have a follow-up.
02:59If it's a question, it's a question.
03:01If it's a comment, you can send it to us in a Christmas card.
03:04Go ahead.
03:04It's not a comment.
03:05It's not a comment.
03:07The point is that you didn't answer the question.
03:10I mean, what do you think about the idea of President Macron,
03:15that it is time to restart talking with Russia?
03:18Is it a good idea or a bad idea?
03:21Many thanks.
03:22Tommaso, thank you for your question,
03:24but with the greatest of respect and pre-Christmas wishes,
03:29we have answered your question,
03:30and we're not going to repeat the same thing again
03:33after Anwar has very eloquently given our response a third time.
03:36I just want to also point out to Tatiana that I have received confirmation
03:41that there was no EU-level participation at the talks in the US.
03:46Okay, I see a question from Eddie.
03:51Is it for us on this topic, Eddie?
03:56Yes, it is.
03:57Then, Eddie, I invite you to proceed,
04:01and I find it wonderful that, in spite of your media declaring that we have banned you
04:06and that you're on our enemy list,
04:09you are magically, miraculously here talking to us.
04:12We're very happy to see you and answer all your questions as we always are.
04:15Please proceed.
04:15Well, that's very kind of you.
04:20It's not hypothetical that Macron has said that he thinks Europeans should talk to Moscow,
04:27and it's not hypothetical either that Ayakalat has stated
04:31that there's no point in engaging with Moscow
04:35because there's no sign from that side that they want to have peace.
04:41So how does the European Commission square that circle?
04:43Thanks, Eddie.
04:47I'll hand over to Anouar in case he has anything else to say.
04:49Yes, in terms of squaring the circle,
04:52well, this is exactly why we, on one hand, support Ukraine,
04:58and on the other hand, we do pressure Russia to bring it at the negotiating table.
05:03And that's also why to square the other circle of the sanctions
05:06that your colleague has raised a few seconds ago,
05:10that in light of such we will continue putting pressure on Russia,
05:14notably through further sanctions to bring it to the negotiation table.
05:21And I'm also happy to look back here since that's the last midday of the year
05:25to put some perspective on our sanctions policy vis-à-vis Russia in the last 12 months.
05:36Five packages of sanctions showing the unity of the member states
05:39in continuously applying pressure for Russia to stop its war of aggression against Ukraine.
05:45And no later than actually today,
05:47we have renewed sanctions against Russia for further six months
05:50until the 31st of July 2026.
05:53Which shows what?
05:54That we do keep on working on measures
05:57to deprive Russia of the funds, goods, and technologies
06:00sustaining its war against Ukraine,
06:02which obviously also includes the 20th package for which work is ongoing.
06:09So we continue to put our pressure on Russia,
06:14and this is how we square the circle that you have mentioned here.
06:16Hi, I'm wondering if you have any reaction to the U.S. appointing an envoy for Greenland
06:26and comments made apparently trying to advance U.S. interests when it comes to Greenland.
06:34Do you have any reaction to that,
06:35that the Danes are going to summon the U.S. ambassador if they haven't done so?
06:42Thank you for the question.
06:43It is not for me here to comment on U.S. decisions,
06:47but what I can say about the EU position is the following,
06:52which has been our long-standing position on the matter,
06:55that preserving the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,
06:59its sovereignty, and the inviolability of its borders
07:04is essential for the European Union.
07:07The reason we said last week that we wanted to get the deal done last week
07:14was because we do believe there is a sense of urgency,
07:16because we're very close to the finish line.
07:19And as I said last week, we believe this is an agreement of immense importance
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