However, British diplomats believe that Trump is trying to distract American voters from the country's economic problems ahead of the midterm elections this year. There is an opinion that such actions could worsen relations with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and lead to a rift in NATO.
According to unconfirmed reports, Trump has tasked the U.S. Special Operations Command with developing an invasion plan. However, military leadership opposes this, citing its illegality and lack of support from Congress. Sources claim that the military is trying to divert the president by proposing less controversial alternatives, such as intercepting Russian vessels or striking Iran.
Diplomats are also considering scenarios in which the U.S. could use military force or political pressure to sever Greenland's ties with Denmark. One document describes a "worst-case scenario" that could lead to "the destruction of NATO from within."
Some European officials believe that radical Trump supporters may pursue exactly such a goal. The document states that if Congress does not allow the president to withdraw the U.S. from NATO, the occupation of Greenland could push European countries to exit the alliance.
There are also more compromise proposals, according to which Denmark could grant the U.S. full military access to Greenland, closing it off to Russia and China, which would provide legal justification for Washington's actions. Diplomats fear that the opportunity for such steps may close as early as this summer, so actions may be taken sooner. One potential moment for negotiations could be at the NATO summit on July 7.
American generals, according to one diplomatic source, consider Trump's plan for Greenland "mad and illegal" and are trying to distract the president with other major military initiatives.
