A 'Modest' European Military Mission to Greenland Against Trump's Aspirations

SadaNews - A European military mission arrived in Greenland on Thursday, following a meeting in Washington between American, Danish, and Greenlandic officials, which concluded there is a "fundamental disagreement" over the self-governing Danish island that U.S. President Donald Trump aims to control.

Denmark, a traditional ally of the United States within NATO, announced that it is bolstering its military presence in Greenland in response to American criticism for not giving enough importance to the Arctic island. On Wednesday, two Danish aircraft carrying soldiers landed on the island.

Subsequently, France, Sweden, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland, and the United Kingdom announced the dispatch of a military force to the island to conduct a reconnaissance mission as part of the "Polar Resilience" maneuvers organized by Denmark. Defense sources from several countries indicated that this modest European military reinforcement, which includes, for instance, 13 German soldiers and one soldier each from the Netherlands and the UK, aims to prepare the armies for future training in the Arctic.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that "France and the Europeans must continue to be present wherever their interests are threatened, without escalation, but without any compromise regarding the respect for territorial integrity." He emphasized in a speech to military personnel at an air base near Marseille in southern France that Paris' "role" requires it to be "alongside a sovereign state to protect its territories."

He clarified that "a first group of French soldiers is on site and will be reinforced in the coming days with land, air, and naval capabilities." However, the White House indicated on Thursday that this step would not change anything in Trump's plans.

White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said at a press conference, "I don’t think sending forces to Europe affects the president’s decision-making process, nor does it ever affect his goal of annexing Greenland."

The day after the meeting that brought together Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt with American officials at the White House, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen acknowledged there is a "fundamental disagreement" with the United States regarding the future of the Arctic island, confirming that Washington remains determined to control Greenland.

She stated, "It is clear that the situation is serious, and so we continue our efforts to prevent this scenario." She welcomed the dispatch of European forces to participate in "joint exercises in Greenland and its vicinity." She noted that "there is consensus within NATO that reinforcing presence in the Arctic is essential for the security of Europe and North America."

This came as her defense minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, announced a plan to establish a larger permanent presence by the year 2026. The Danish Prime Minister is meeting a delegation from the U.S. Congress visiting Copenhagen on Friday and Saturday, her office confirmed to AFP on Thursday.

However, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday evening via ARD television, when asked about Trump's ambitions regarding Greenland, that he is not concerned, stressing that "the United States is not confined to Donald Trump’s administration." He added that Europe’s participation in "guaranteeing the security" of Greenland "removes the main argument" provided by the U.S. president.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed "grave concerns" following the deployment of NATO forces in Greenland. Russia rejected the idea that it poses a danger to Greenland, describing it as a "myth." Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that part of Danish territory was "arbitrarily included in Washington's sphere of interests."

She asserted that "the myth of a kind of Russian threat, which Denmark and other EU and NATO members have promoted for years, is pure hypocrisy."

In Greenland, Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen expressed a desire to cooperate with the United States "but on the basis of fundamental values such as democracy and respect," indicating that "dialogue and diplomacy are the right way forward."

On Wednesday, the Danish Foreign Minister affirmed that Copenhagen wishes to "work closely with the United States, but of course this cooperation should be based on respect."

After the talks, Trump told reporters at the White House, "I have very good relations with Denmark, and we will see how all that develops. I think we will reach a solution." Just a few hours earlier, he reiterated on his platform Truth Social that the United States "needs Greenland for national security reasons" and that it is "essential for the golden dome we are building," referring to an American missile defense and air defense system.

This was the first time Trump linked control of Greenland to the massive U.S. missile defense project. However, Rasmussen stated that the acquisition of Greenland by the United States is "out of the question." He added, "We do not want that in Denmark, nor in Greenland, as it contradicts all international rules. It violates our sovereignty."

Trump insists that his country needs Greenland to face Russian and Chinese advances in the Arctic Circle, without ruling out the use of force to take control of the island. While talks were ongoing on Wednesday, the White House posted on "X" an illustration showing sled dogs pulling sleds, one headed to the White House under a clear sky, and the other heading to the Great Wall of China and Red Square under darkness. Rasmussen announced to the Danish press that there are no ships or "significant" Chinese investments in Greenland.

Before the meeting in Washington, flags of Greenland in red and white spread across shopfronts in the capital Nuuk and the windows of homes and car roofs, as well as on crane wires.