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Earlier today, a self-styled Coalition of the Willing, mostly consisting of European officials, met in the French capital with representatives of President Trump, hoping to secure further advances on a lasting settlement for the embattled nation.

With Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky insisting that a roadmap to end the hostilities with Russia is "nearly finalized", nobody in that gathering wished to risk keeping the Washington involved.

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

Bear in mind the developments of the recent days: the US administration's divisive incursion in Venezuela and the American leader's assertion shortly thereafter, that "we need Greenland from the standpoint of defense".

Greenland is the world's biggest island – it's sixfold the area of Germany. It lies in the Arctic region but is an self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.

At the summit, Mette Frederiksen, Denmark's Prime Minister, was seated facing two influential figures speaking on behalf of Trump: diplomat Steve Witkoff and Trump's relative Jared Kushner.

She was subject to urging from European colleagues to refrain from provoking the US over the Greenland issue, in case that undermines US assistance for Ukraine.

Europe's leaders would have greatly desired to compartmentalize the Arctic dispute and the discussions on Ukraine distinct. But with the tensions rising from the White House and Denmark, representatives of major states at the Paris meeting put out a declaration stating: "This territory is part of NATO. Stability in the North must therefore be achieved jointly, in partnership with alliance members like the United States".

"Sovereignty is for Copenhagen and Greenland, and them alone, to rule on issues related to Denmark and its autonomous territory," the declaration added.

The announcement was received positively by Nuuk's head of government, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but critics argue it was slow to be formulated and, because of the restricted set of supporters to the declaration, it failed to demonstrate a Europe aligned in purpose.

"Had there been a joint declaration from all 27 EU partners, along with alliance partner the UK, in support of Copenhagen's authority, that would have conveyed a strong warning to America," stated a European defense analyst.

Reflect on the paradox at work at the Paris summit. Multiple EU national and other officials, from NATO and the European Union, are trying to involve the US administration in protecting the future independence of a continental state (Ukraine) against the expansionist land claims of an foreign power (Russia), on the heels of the US has swooped into independent Venezuela with force, detaining its leader, while also persistently publicly undermining the autonomy of another European nation (the Kingdom of Denmark).

To add to the complexity – Denmark and the US are both members of the transatlantic alliance NATO. They are, in the view of Danish officials, extremely close allies. Previously, they were considered so.

The dilemma is, should Trump fulfill his ambition to acquire Greenland, would it constitute not just an fundamental challenge to the alliance but also a significant problem for the EU?

Europe Faces the Danger of Being Marginalized

This is far from the first instance President Trump has spoken of his resolve to dominate the Arctic island. He's proposed acquiring it in the past. He's also left open the possibility of a military seizure.

On Sunday that the landmass is "so strategic right now, it is covered with foreign vessels all over the place. It is imperative to have Greenland from the perspective of national security and Denmark is unable to provide security".

Copenhagen refutes that claim. It recently vowed to spend $4bn in the island's defense including boats, drones and aircraft.

As per a mutual pact, the US has a defense installation already on Greenland – established at the onset of the Cold War. It has cut the number of personnel there from about 10,000 during the height of that era to about 200 and the US has long been accused of taking its eye off Arctic Security, up to this point.

Denmark has suggested it is willing to talk about a expanded US presence on the island and additional measures but faced with the US President's warning of independent moves, the Danish PM said on Monday that Washington's desire to take Greenland should be treated with gravity.

In the wake of the American intervention in Venezuela this past few days, her colleges throughout Europe are heeding that warning.

"The current crisis has just underlined – for the umpteenth time – the EU's basic shortcoming {