The UK and its European neighbours have a long history of standing up to bullies, writes European Movement UK CEO, and former Minister for the Armed Forces, Sir Nick Harvey.

Let us be clear - attempts by any state to bully another nation or lay claim to its territory undermine the basic principles of international law and collective security on which peace depends.

This morning’s statement from the Prime Minister comes against the backdrop of deeply troubling actions by Donald Trump over the weekend in relation to Greenland. Such behaviour is wholly unacceptable from anyone, let alone from the leader of a country that has long claimed to stand for the rules-based international order.

The UK should not equivocate or hide behind diplomatic niceties when those principles are being challenged so blatantly. We need a coordinated European response, including, where necessary, measures like sanctions or sporting bans, already deployed against Russia for similar actions in Ukraine.

These events underline a reality that has been building for some time. The United Kingdom can no longer rely on the United States to act consistently as a good-faith partner in defence and foreign policy. Our security must rest on predictable partnerships and steady institutions, rather than the whims of an unpredictable White House.

As the special relationship frays, renewed commitment to Europe offers the only credible route. By working far more closely with our European neighbours, politically and economically, and through deeper defence cooperation, the UK can help build a credible, collective European defence grounded in shared values and the rule of law.

Europe is where our security and prosperity lie, and that is the basis on which we should build.