European forces have begun arriving in Greenland after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared the island’s defence a “common concern” for all of NATO — a show of unity following renewed threats from former US president Donald Trump to take control of the Arctic territory by force.
Troops from France, Germany, the UK, Norway, and Sweden were deployed to the self-governing Danish territory this week, with Denmark also boosting its own military presence. The coordinated effort, described as a short-term reconnaissance mission, aims to scope out what a longer-term ground deployment might involve while signalling that Europe stands firm on Arctic security.
“The defence and protection of Greenland is a common concern for the entire NATO alliance,” Frederiksen said in a statement on Thursday. She added that Denmark had “invested significantly in new Arctic capabilities” and that allies were participating in joint exercises around Greenland.
A breakdown in Washington
The rapid mobilisation followed a tense meeting in Washington between the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland — Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Vivian Motzfeldt — and US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
According to Rasmussen, the talks did little to ease tensions. “It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland,” he told reporters, per Politico. “We made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of the Kingdom.”
Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said any dialogue with the United States must be based on “respect for our constitutional position, for international law, and for our right to our own country”.
Greenland’s leader stressed that the island is “not for sale”, will not come under US rule in any form, and is a self-governing democracy within the Danish realm.
Why does Trump want “ownership” over Greenland?
Trump, 79, has continued to insist the United States “needs” Greenland for national security reasons. Speaking to The New York Times earlier this month, he described taking “ownership” of the island as “psychologically important” to him, arguing: “There’s not a thing that Denmark can do about it if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland. But there’s everything we can do.”
On Wednesday, following the Washington meeting, Trump told reporters that Denmark “could not be relied on to protect” Greenland and that “something will work out”.
Frederiksen later confirmed that while dialogue with the US would continue, the two sides remained “fundamentally” divided. “The American ambition to take over Greenland is intact,” she said. “This is obviously serious and therefore we continue our efforts to prevent that scenario from becoming a reality.”
Troops on the ground
French President Emmanuel Macron said the first members of France’s mountain infantry unit had already reached Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, for joint training exercises. Germany announced a 13-member reconnaissance team was being sent, while the Netherlands and the UK also confirmed they will participate in the Denmark-led drills.
According to NATO officials, the steps are symbolic but important, with further discussions underway about creating an Arctic air-policing mission similar to those already established in Eastern Europe.
“We have to keep Trump happy on Greenland,” one European diplomat told The Guardian, reflecting the delicate diplomatic balancing act across the alliance.
Rising anxiety in Greenland
The rhetoric has sparked unease across Greenland, where public demonstrations are planned this weekend in Nuuk and across Denmark. Greenland’s foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, became visibly emotional during an interview with national broadcaster KNR following the failed talks.
“We have been working very hard in our department, even though there are not many of us,” she said.
“The last days have been tough… but I want to say, we are strong in the government. The work is to ensure the Greenlandic people… can feel safe and live securely.”
A majority of Americans oppose Trump’s plan
Despite Trump’s insistence, polls suggest little support for his push. A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey found that only 17 per cent of Americans back his effort to take over the territory. According to Reuters, “substantial majorities of Democrats and Republicans oppose using military force to annex the island”, with 66 per cent saying such a move could damage NATO and US-European relations.
Similarly, a CNN poll found that three-quarters of Americans oppose the idea outright, including more than half who strongly oppose it.
What happens next
As NATO allies coordinate a unified response, Denmark’s Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen confirmed plans to make the Danish troop presence in Greenland more permanent, with a rotational force involving contributions from several member states.
For now, diplomats are emphasising dialogue — but Frederiksen’s statement left no doubt about where Denmark stands. “There is a fundamental disagreement,” she said. “But there is also unity among allies that the Arctic is key to our common security. We stand together on that.”
Lead image: Getty / Clash Report
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