As Donald Trump threatens Greenland, leaders across Europe get into a ‘Group Chat’ for messaging called…
European leaders have turned to a group messaging app to coordinate their response to President Donald Trump’s escalating threats over Greenland, according to Politico. The informal but highly active arrangement, known as the “Washington Group,” has become a crucial tool for swift diplomatic coordination as transatlantic tensions reach new heights.The group chat includes UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni. Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participates in the conversations. “When things start moving quickly, it’s hard to do the coordination, and this group [chat] is really effective,” a source familiar with the arrangement told Politico. “It tells you a lot about the personal relationships and how they matter.”
Texting through the Trump chaos
The messaging system has evolved from the “coalition of the willing” that initially formed to support Ukraine. National security advisers from 35 governments maintain regular contact through the platform, meeting frequently online and in person while also exchanging less formal text messages.According to Politico, the leaders have developed a well-practiced routine: whenever Trump makes a provocative statement, they quickly exchange messages to align their responses. This approach has helped them navigate the past year of Trump’s second presidency, though his recent Greenland threats have pushed the arrangement into overdrive.Trump’s latest moves—threatening 10% tariffs on eight European allies if they oppose his Greenland acquisition plans—have marked a turning point. European officials, who previously tried maintaining a “softly-softly approach” to Trump’s provocations, are now taking a firmer stance.
Beyond Ukraine: Europe prepares for life without America
The Washington Group takes its name from the European leaders who visited the White House with Zelenskyy last August. What began as Ukraine-focused coordination has transformed into a broader security alliance as American reliability comes into question.Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a forcible US takeover of Greenland would mean “the end of NATO.” Meanwhile, von der Leyen stated that Europeans would “stand firm” in protecting Greenland, promising a response with “steadiness and resolve.”The group chat may represent the foundation for a future European security arrangement—one that doesn’t take American participation for granted.
