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Just this morning, a self-styled Group of the Committed, largely composed of European officials, convened in the French capital with representatives of the Trump administration, attempting to secure more advances on a lasting peace agreement for the embattled nation.

With Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky declaring that a plan to conclude the hostilities with Russia is "nearly finalized", not a single person in that gathering wanted to endanger retaining the Americans onboard.

Yet, there was an enormous glaring omission in that grand and sparkling summit, and the fundamental atmosphere was exceptionally uneasy.

Bear in mind the events of the past week: the US administration's controversial intervention in Venezuela and the American leader's insistence shortly thereafter, that "our national security requires Greenland from the perspective of national security".

This massive island is the world's greatest island – it's 600% the dimensions of Germany. It is situated in the Arctic but is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.

At the Paris meeting, Mette Frederiksen, Copenhagen's leader, was positioned across from two key individuals speaking on behalf of Trump: emissary Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

She was facing pressure from European colleagues not to provoking the US over the Arctic question, in case that undermines US assistance for Ukraine.

Europe's leaders would have much rather to separate Greenland and the debate on Ukraine distinct. But with the political temperature mounting from Washington and Denmark, representatives of leading states at the talks issued a communiqué asserting: "Greenland is part of NATO. Stability in the North must therefore be attained jointly, in partnership with alliance members including the United States".

"The decision is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to determine on matters regarding Denmark and Greenland," the declaration continued.

The communique was welcomed by the island's leader, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but critics argue it was delayed to be formulated and, due to the small set of signatories to the statement, it was unable to show a Europe in agreement in intent.

"Had there been a unified position from all 27 member states, plus NATO ally the UK, in backing of Danish authority, that would have conveyed a strong signal to the US," noted a EU foreign policy expert.

Ponder the paradox at work at the France meeting. Multiple European national and other leaders, such as the alliance and the EU, are seeking to involve the White House in guaranteeing the future autonomy of a EU nation (Ukraine) against the aggressive territorial ambitions of an external actor (Russia), on the heels of the US has swooped into sovereign Venezuela militarily, detaining its leader, while also continuing to actively challenging the autonomy of another continental ally (the Kingdom of Denmark).

To make matters even more stark – Denmark and the US are both signatories of the military bloc NATO. They are, in the view of Copenhagen, exceptionally key friends. Or were.

The question is, if Trump were to act upon his goal to bring Greenland under US control, would it represent not just an fundamental challenge to NATO but also a major challenge for the EU?

Europe Faces the Danger of Being Marginalized

This is far from the first instance President Trump has voiced his determination to dominate Greenland. He's suggested acquiring it in the past. He's also not excluded forcible annexation.

He insisted that the island is "so strategic right now, Greenland is frequented by foreign vessels all over the place. It is imperative to have Greenland from the vantage point of national security and Copenhagen is not going to be able to handle it".

Denmark strongly denies that last statement. It not long ago vowed to allocate $4bn in Arctic security encompassing boats, drones and aircraft.

As per a bilateral agreement, the US operates a defense installation already on Greenland – founded at the beginning of the East-West standoff. It has cut the total of personnel there from approximately 10,000 during peak Cold War operations to about 200 and the US has long been accused of neglecting Arctic Security, up to this point.

Denmark has indicated it is amenable to dialogue about a bigger US footprint on the island and further cooperation but in light of the US President's warning of unilateral action, the Danish PM said on Monday that the US leader's goal to acquire Greenland should be treated with gravity.

Following the Washington's moves in Venezuela this weekend, her fellow leaders across Europe are taking it seriously.

"The current crisis has just emphasized – yet again – Europe's fundamental vulnerability {