Greenland to boost military presence with NATO allies' help amid Trump's threats
Greenland announced an increased military presence in coordination with NATO allies as US President Donald Trump renewed calls for Washington to take control of the island, a threat constantly rejected by Denmark and Greenland.
The Greenland government on Tuesday announced an increase in military presence in and around the Arctic territory as part of Operation Arctic Endurance, a series of joint exercises being carried out in close cooperation with Nato allies.
In a statement, Greenland said the Danish Armed Forces would step up their presence and continue military drills with allied forces to strengthen Nato activity in the region.
Several European Nato allies have confirmed they are also sending personnel to the island. Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said officers from the Swedish Armed Forces have already arrived in Greenland to prepare for activities linked to Operation Arctic Endurance. Norway said it would send two military personnel to explore further cooperation with allies.
“Norway has decided to send two staffers from the Norwegian Armed Forces to map out the further cooperation between Nato allies,” Sandvik said in an emailed statement, adding that discussions are ongoing within Nato on how to strengthen security in and around Greenland. “No conclusions have been made yet,” he said.
Germany’s Defence Ministry said it is dispatching a reconnaissance team of 13 military personnel to Greenland from January 15 to 17 to assess possible contributions to regional security, including maritime surveillance. France has also joined the effort. President Emmanuel Macron said that, at Denmark’s request, France will participate in joint exercises under Operation Arctic Endurance, with the first French military units already en route and more to follow.
Greenland said the expanded presence aims to train forces to operate in the region’s “unique Arctic conditions” and to strengthen Nato’s footprint in the Arctic, bolstering both European and transatlantic security.
The moves underscore growing concern in Europe that President Donald Trump’s rhetoric risks destabilising relations within Nato.
“We are definitely ready to do more,” Rasmussen added.
Meanwhile, leaders of political groups in the European Parliament on Wednesday urged the EU executive and member states to offer “concrete and tangible support” to Greenland and Denmark, condemning US demands to take over the island. “Statements made by the Trump administration regarding Greenland constitute a blatant challenge to international law, to the principles of the United Nations Charter and to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a Nato ally,” the leaders said in a joint statement.
The announcement came amid renewed international attention on Greenland following recent remarks by US President Donald Trump calling for the United States to take control of the island, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
Denmark’s foreign minister said on Wednesday that a “fundamental disagreement” with Trump over Greenland remains unresolved, even after high-level talks in Washington, as Denmark and its Nato allies move to bolster their military presence in the Arctic amid rising tensions.
Speaking after meetings with US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Rasmussen described the discussions as “frank but also constructive,” while stressing that Denmark and Greenland firmly reject the Trump administration’s push to assert control over the semiautonomous island.
TRUMP REITERATES 'OWNERSHIP' DEMAND
President Trump has repeatedly said the mineral-rich island is vital to US security and that Washington must own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from establishing a presence there. He has said that “all options are on the table” for securing the territory.
In a social media post hours before the meeting, Trump said Greenland was “vital for the Golden Dome that we are building," referring to a proposed US missile defence system.
NOT FOR SALE: DENMARK AND GREENLAND RESPOND
Trump has also claimed NATO would become “far more formidable and effective” if Greenland were under US control, adding that "anything less than that is unacceptable."
In a follow-up post referencing Russia and China, he wrote: “NATO: Tell Denmark to get them out of here, NOW! Two dogsleds won’t do it! Only the USA can!!!”
Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected Trump’s assertions, saying Greenland is not for sale and warning that threats of force are reckless. They have said security concerns should be addressed through cooperation among allies.
Several prominent European Union countries have publicly backed Denmark’s position.
GREENLAND SIGNALS UNITY WITH DENMARK
Greenlandic leaders appear to be recalibrating their public messaging amid the diplomatic standoff. While earlier statements had emphasised Greenland’s path towards independence, recent remarks have stressed unity with Denmark.
“It’s not the time to gamble with our right to self-determination, when another country is talking about taking us over,” Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in an interview published on Wednesday.
“That doesn’t mean we don’t want something in the future. But here and now we are part of the kingdom, and we stand with the kingdom. That’s crucial in this serious situation,” he said.
Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt echoed the sentiment, saying in a statement released late on Tuesday: “We choose the Greenland we know today, as part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”