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Earlier today, a self-styled Alliance of the Committed, mostly consisting of European heads of state, convened in the French capital with representatives of US President Donald Trump, attempting to make further advances on a sustainable peace agreement for the embattled nation.

With President Volodymyr Zelensky insisting that a roadmap to end the hostilities with Russia is "nearly finalized", not a single person in that room wanted to endanger retaining the US involved.

Yet, there was an immense glaring omission in that grand and sparkling gathering, and the fundamental tension was exceptionally tense.

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

This massive island is the world's greatest island – it's sixfold the size of Germany. It is located in the Arctic region but is an self-governing region of Denmark's.

At the Paris meeting, Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister, was seated opposite two key personalities speaking on behalf of Trump: special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's relative Jared Kushner.

She was facing pressure from her EU counterparts not to provoking the US over the Arctic question, for fear that that undermines US backing for the Ukrainian cause.

Europe's leaders would have far preferred to compartmentalize the Arctic dispute and the discussions on the war distinct. But with the diplomatic heat mounting from Washington and Denmark, representatives of big EU countries at the Paris meeting issued a statement stating: "Greenland is part of NATO. Stability in the Arctic must therefore be secured jointly, in partnership with NATO allies including the America".

"Sovereignty is for Denmark and the Greenlandic authorities, and them only, to rule on issues regarding Denmark and its autonomous territory," the declaration further stated.

The statement was greeted by the island's leader, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but critics contend it was delayed to be formulated and, owing to the small set of supporters to the declaration, it failed to show a European Union united in objective.

"Had there been a common position from all 27 member states, plus NATO ally the UK, in defense of Danish authority, that would have sent a resounding signal to America," noted a European foreign policy specialist.

Reflect on the paradox at play at the Paris summit. Several EU national and other officials, such as the alliance and the EU, are trying to secure the cooperation of the White House in safeguarding the future autonomy of a European country (the Eastern European nation) against the hostile territorial ambitions of an outside force (Moscow), on the heels of the US has entered independent Venezuela with force, taking its president into custody, while also still actively challenging the sovereignty of another European nation (Denmark).

To add to the complexity – Copenhagen and the US are both signatories of the transatlantic alliance the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. They are, according to Danish officials, extremely key friends. Previously, they were considered so.

The question is, should Trump fulfill his desire to acquire Greenland, would it mark not just an fundamental challenge to NATO but also a major problem for the European Union?

Europe Risks Being Trampled Underfoot

This is not the first time Trump has spoken of his intention to control Greenland. He's floated the idea of purchasing it in the past. He's also not excluded a military seizure.

He insisted that the landmass is "crucially located right now, it is patrolled by Russian and Chinese naval assets all over the place. It is imperative to have Greenland from the vantage point of strategic interests and Copenhagen is unable to handle it".

Copenhagen refutes that last statement. It has lately vowed to spend $4bn in the island's defense for boats, drones and aircraft.

Under a mutual pact, the US maintains a strategic outpost presently on the island – founded at the beginning of the Cold War. It has reduced the number of personnel there from around 10,000 during the height of Cold War operations to about 200 and the US has long been accused of overlooking polar defense, recently.

Copenhagen has indicated it is willing to talk about a expanded US presence on the island and more but in light of the US President's threat of independent moves, the Danish PM said on Monday that Trump's ambition to acquire Greenland should be treated with gravity.

Following the US administration's actions in Venezuela this past few days, her counterparts throughout Europe are heeding that warning.

"These developments has just highlighted – yet again – the EU's basic vulnerability {