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European forces arrive in Greenland as US asserts Arctic ambitions
A 15-member French military team landed in Nuuk on Thursday, marking the start of a multinational reconnaissance mission in Greenland. The deployment, which includes personnel from Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and the UK, comes as US President Donald Trump renews efforts to assert control over the Danish autonomous territory.
Symbolic show of force amid diplomatic tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to reinforce the initial contingent with additional land, air, and naval assets. Senior diplomat Olivier Poivre d'Arvor framed the mission as a deliberate signal to Washington, stating, "This is a first exercise... we'll show the US that NATO is present."
The deployment follows a meeting in Washington between Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers and US Vice President JD Vance. While Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen described the talks as constructive, he acknowledged a "fundamental disagreement" over Trump's bid to acquire Greenland.
Trump doubles down on Greenland claims
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump reiterated his position that Greenland is vital to US national security. "We need Greenland for national security," he said, though he suggested a negotiated solution with Denmark remained possible. He warned that neither Denmark nor Greenland could counter potential threats from Russia or China without US support.
"The problem is 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."
US President Donald Trump
NATO allies voice concerns over US intentions
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk cautioned that any US military intervention in Greenland would be "a political disaster," warning it could destabilize NATO. "A conflict or attempted annexation of the territory of a NATO member by another NATO member would be the end of the world as we know it," he said.
Russia's embassy in Belgium condemned the European deployment, accusing NATO of fabricating threats from Moscow and Beijing to justify a military buildup in the Arctic.
Limited scope but strategic messaging
The European mission, part of Denmark-led Operation Arctic Endurance, involves only a few dozen troops. Germany dispatched an A400M transport aircraft with 13 soldiers, who are scheduled to remain in Greenland until Saturday. Swedish, Norwegian, British, and Dutch personnel have also arrived in Nuuk.
Danish defense officials emphasized the deployment aims to strengthen NATO's Arctic presence, describing it as a rotational effort to enhance European and transatlantic security. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen framed Greenland's defense as a shared NATO priority.
Greenland rejects US sovereignty claims
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen unequivocally rejected Trump's ambitions, stating, "Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States."
Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen echoed this stance, asserting that Greenland faces no immediate threat from Russia or China that requires US intervention. A US congressional delegation is expected in Denmark on Friday for further discussions with Danish lawmakers.
