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Just this morning, a self-styled Coalition of the Committed, predominantly consisting of EU heads of state, convened in Paris with delegates of the Trump administration, hoping to achieve additional progress on a durable peace agreement for Ukraine.

With President Volodymyr Zelensky insisting that a plan to halt the hostilities with Russia is "90% of the way there", no-one in that gathering wished to risk keeping the Americans engaged.

Yet, there was an enormous glaring omission in that impressive and glittering Paris meeting, and the prevailing mood was profoundly strained.

Recall the events of the last few days: the White House's contentious incursion in Venezuela and the American leader's insistence shortly thereafter, that "it is essential to have Greenland from the viewpoint of national security".

The vast Arctic territory is the world's largest island – it's six times the area of Germany. It lies in the Arctic region but is an semi-independent possession of Copenhagen.

At the summit, Mette Frederiksen, Denmark's Prime Minister, was seated facing two influential individuals acting for Trump: emissary Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

She was subject to urging from European allies to refrain from antagonising the US over the Greenland issue, for fear that that undermines US backing for Ukraine.

The continent's officials would have far preferred to keep Greenland and the debate on Ukraine apart. But with the tensions escalating from Washington and Copenhagen, leaders of leading states at the gathering issued a declaration stating: "The island is part of the alliance. Stability in the Arctic must therefore be secured collectively, in cooperation with NATO allies including the United States".

"Sovereignty is for Copenhagen and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters related to the kingdom and its autonomous territory," the communiqué further stated.

The communique was welcomed by Greenland's prime minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, but critics argue it was delayed to be put together and, because of the small set of signatories to the declaration, it was unable to project a European Union in agreement in intent.

"Were there a unified position from all 27 European Union countries, along with alliance partner the UK, in backing of Copenhagen's control, that would have delivered a resounding warning to America," commented a EU foreign policy expert.

Reflect on the paradox at work at the European gathering. Numerous EU government and other leaders, from NATO and the European Union, are attempting to engage the US administration in safeguarding the future sovereignty of a European country (the Eastern European nation) against the hostile territorial ambitions of an outside force (Moscow), immediately after the US has intervened in sovereign Venezuela with force, detaining its leader, while also still openly threatening the sovereignty of a different EU member (the Kingdom of Denmark).

To add to the complexity – Denmark and the US are both members of the defensive pact NATO. They are, according to Copenhagen, extremely close allies. At least, they were.

The dilemma is, were Trump to fulfill his desire to assert control over the island, would it constitute not just an severe risk to the alliance but also a profound crisis for the European Union?

Europe Faces the Danger of Being Trampled Underfoot

This is not the first time Trump has voiced his determination to acquire the Arctic island. He's suggested purchasing it in the past. He's also not excluded taking it by force.

On Sunday that the landmass is "vitally important right now, it is frequented by foreign ships all over the place. It is imperative to have Greenland from the vantage point of defense and Copenhagen is unable to provide security".

Denmark refutes that assertion. It has lately pledged to allocate $4bn in the island's defense for boats, drones and aircraft.

Under a bilateral agreement, the US operates a strategic outpost currently on the island – set up at the onset of the Cold War. It has scaled down the number of troops there from about 10,000 during the height of that era to about 200 and the US has long been accused of neglecting the northern theater, recently.

Denmark has suggested it is amenable to dialogue about a expanded US footprint on the island and additional measures but in light of the US President's threat of going it alone, the Danish PM said on Monday that the US leader's goal to take Greenland should be treated with gravity.

After the US administration's actions in Venezuela this weekend, her colleges throughout Europe are heeding that warning.

"The current crisis has just highlighted – once again – Europe's basic vulnerability {