U.S. NATO allies say “Greenland belongs to its people” after Stephen Miller says it should be part of U.S.

European leaders issued a joint statement on Tuesday emphasizing the importance of Arctic security, but emphasizing that “Greenland belongs to its people,” hours after White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller said it was “the official position of the U.S. government…that Greenland should be part of the United States.”

Miller also said in a CNN interview Monday that “the United States is the power of NATO. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, it is obvious that Greenland should be part of the United States.”

“NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up their efforts. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments to ensure Arctic security and deter adversaries,” the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Greenland said in their joint statement on Tuesday.

“Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in collaboration with NATO allies, including the United States, respecting the principles of the United Nations Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.

“Greenland belongs to its people. It is up to Denmark and Greenland, and them alone, to decide matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”