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This very day, a self-styled Alliance of the Willing, predominantly consisting of European officials, convened in Paris with envoys of US President Donald Trump, attempting to achieve more headway on a sustainable peace deal for the embattled nation.

With President Volodymyr Zelensky insisting that a framework to end the hostilities with Russia is "nearly finalized", nobody in that gathering desired to risk retaining the US engaged.

Yet, there was an colossal elephant in the room in that impressive and luxurious Paris meeting, and the prevailing atmosphere was extremely tense.

Recall the events of the recent days: the US administration's controversial incursion in the South American nation and the American leader's insistence soon after, that "our national security requires Greenland from the standpoint of defense".

Greenland is the world's biggest island – it's 600% the area of Germany. It is located in the Arctic but is an autonomous region of Copenhagen.

At the Paris meeting, Mette Frederiksen, Copenhagen's leader, was seated opposite two powerful figures representing Trump: diplomat Steve Witkoff and Trump's adviser Jared Kushner.

She was facing pressure from her EU colleagues not to provoking the US over the Arctic question, in case that affects US backing for the Ukrainian cause.

Europe's leaders would have much rather to separate the Arctic dispute and the debate on Ukraine separate. But with the diplomatic heat escalating from the White House and Denmark, representatives of major EU countries at the gathering put out a communiqué asserting: "This territory is part of the alliance. Defense in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with treaty partners including the US".

"Sovereignty is for Copenhagen and the Greenlandic authorities, and them only, to determine on matters concerning the kingdom and Greenland," the declaration further stated.

The statement was greeted by Nuuk's head of government, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but observers argue it was delayed to be drafted and, owing to the small group of supporters to the statement, it was unable to demonstrate a Europe in agreement in objective.

"Were there a joint position from all 27 member states, along with NATO ally the UK, in backing of Copenhagen's authority, that would have conveyed a powerful message to the US," noted a EU defense expert.

Ponder the contradiction at play at the France meeting. Several EU national and other leaders, such as NATO and the European Union, are seeking to involve the White House in safeguarding the future sovereignty of a EU nation (Ukraine) against the hostile land claims of an foreign power (Russia), immediately after the US has intervened in sovereign Venezuela militarily, arresting its head of state, while also still publicly threatening the sovereignty of a further EU member (the Kingdom of Denmark).

To make matters even more stark – Copenhagen and the US are both signatories of the military bloc the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. They are, according to Copenhagen, profoundly strong partners. At least, they were.

The dilemma is, were Trump to act upon his ambition to acquire Greenland, would it represent not just an fundamental challenge to the alliance but also a major crisis for the European Union?

Europe Faces the Danger of Being Trampled Underfoot

This is not an isolated incident Trump has expressed 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.

He insisted that the territory is "vitally important right now, it is patrolled by Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. It is imperative to have Greenland from the perspective of national security and Denmark is unable to do it".

Denmark contests that assertion. It has lately committed to spend $4bn in Arctic security including boats, drones and aircraft.

Pursuant to a treaty, the US maintains a defense installation currently on Greenland – founded at the onset of the East-West standoff. It has cut the figure of troops there from about 10,000 during the height of Cold War operations to around 200 and the US has frequently been criticized of overlooking the northern theater, until now.

Denmark has indicated it is amenable to dialogue about a larger US presence on the island and more but in light of the US President's warning of independent moves, the Danish PM said on Monday that Trump's ambition to control Greenland should be treated with gravity.

Following the Washington's moves in Venezuela this past few days, her counterparts across Europe are taking it seriously.

"The current crisis has just underlined – for the umpteenth time – Europe's core vulnerability {