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Earlier today, a informal Alliance of the Willing, mostly consisting of EU officials, met in the French capital with representatives of the Trump administration, attempting to achieve additional headway on a durable peace deal for Ukraine.

With Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky insisting that a roadmap to conclude the hostilities with Russia is "90% of the way there", no-one in that meeting wanted to endanger keeping the Washington involved.

Yet, there was an immense elephant in the room in that impressive and glittering summit, and the fundamental tension was exceptionally tense.

Recall the actions of the recent days: the White House's controversial intervention in the South American nation and the American leader's assertion shortly thereafter, that "our national security requires Greenland from the perspective of national security".

Greenland is the world's largest island – it's six times the dimensions of Germany. It is situated in the Arctic but is an autonomous region of Denmark's.

At the summit, Mette Frederiksen, Denmark's Prime Minister, was seated across from two key figures speaking on behalf of Trump: diplomat Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

She was subject to urging from European allies to refrain from provoking the US over the Arctic question, in case that affects US assistance for the Ukrainian cause.

EU heads of state would have much rather to compartmentalize the Arctic dispute and the debate on the war distinct. But with the diplomatic heat escalating from the White House and Copenhagen, leaders of leading EU countries at the Paris meeting issued a declaration saying: "This territory is part of the alliance. Stability in the Arctic must therefore be secured together, in cooperation with alliance members including the United States".

"The decision is for Copenhagen and the Greenlandic authorities, and no one else, to determine on issues related to Denmark and its autonomous territory," the statement further stated.

The communique was welcomed by Greenland's prime minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but analysts contend it was delayed to be formulated and, due to the restricted number of signatories to the statement, it failed to demonstrate a European Union aligned in intent.

"Were there a common position from all 27 EU partners, along with NATO ally the UK, in support of Danish authority, that would have sent a powerful signal to Washington," stated a European foreign policy analyst.

Consider the paradox at play at the France meeting. Numerous European national and other leaders, from the alliance and the EU, are trying to engage the Trump administration in guaranteeing the future independence of a EU nation (the Eastern European nation) against the hostile territorial ambitions of an outside force (Moscow), immediately after the US has intervened in independent Venezuela with force, taking its president into custody, while also continuing to publicly undermining the autonomy of another EU member (the Kingdom of Denmark).

To add to the complexity – Denmark and the US are both signatories of the military bloc the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. They are, in the view of Danish officials, extremely strong partners. Or were.

The dilemma is, if Trump were to act upon his goal to acquire Greenland, would it mark not just an fundamental challenge to NATO but also a significant problem for the European Union?

Europe Faces the Danger of Being Trampled Underfoot

This is far from the first instance President Trump has spoken of his intention to dominate Greenland. He's proposed purchasing it in the past. He's also left open the possibility of forcible annexation.

On Sunday that the territory is "vitally important right now, Greenland is frequented by Russian and Chinese vessels all over the place. We need Greenland from the perspective of strategic interests and Denmark is incapable to do it".

Copenhagen strongly denies that assertion. It not long ago vowed to allocate $4bn in Arctic security for boats, drones and aircraft.

Under a treaty, the US maintains a military base presently on the island – established at the start of the Cold War. It has cut the number of personnel there from approximately 10,000 during peak the confrontation to about 200 and the US has frequently been criticized of taking its eye off polar defense, until now.

Copenhagen has indicated it is open to discussion about a larger US presence on the territory and further cooperation but confronted by the US President's warning of unilateral action, Frederiksen said on Monday that Trump's ambition to control Greenland should be considered a real possibility.

In the wake of the Washington's moves in Venezuela this weekend, her fellow leaders in Europe are doing just that.

"This whole situation has just highlighted – once again – Europe's basic vulnerability {