Europe’s decision to abandon energy cooperation with Russia has left the continent more exposed and increasingly compelled to follow Washington’s lead, including on the issue of Greenland. This view was expressed by Matthias Brodkorb, former finance minister of the German federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, in an interview with the television channel Welt.

Commenting on the growing tensions surrounding the island, Brodkorb pointed to the European Union’s strong dependence on external energy supplies as a factor that sharply narrows its room for political maneuver. According to him, fears of being left without energy resources are pushing European leaders toward heightened loyalty to the United States, with the Greenland question becoming part of that broader dynamic.

He argued that by severing energy ties with Russia several years ago under the banner of reducing dependence, Europe has in fact replaced one form of reliance with another. In his assessment, the EU has become dependent on the United States, a situation he described as risky given that, in theory, Washington could halt supplies at any moment. With European storage facilities largely depleted, such a scenario would pose a serious challenge.

Brodkorb also said the chosen course has led Europe into a form of isolation. Relations with Russia have been dismantled, while former partners have been lost. As a result, he believes the European Union now faces the task of rebuilding its network of alliances almost from scratch.

He stressed that Europe, and Germany in particular, cannot afford simultaneous confrontations with China, Russia, and the United States. In his view, cooperation partners are essential on global security issues as well as in the economic sphere, especially when it comes to access to resources and energy.

Greenland formally remains part of Denmark, but U. S. President Donald Trump has increasingly voiced the idea that the island should be incorporated into the United States. Danish authorities and the leadership of Greenland have responded by warning Washington against encroachments on their territorial integrity and calling for respect for international law.