European Military Presence Strengthens in Greenland Amid Trump's Claims

Thu Jan 15 2026 19:56:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

European troops arrive in Greenland as part of NATO's Operation Arctic Endurance amid increasing tensions regarding the island's strategic importance. Trump's insistence on US control complicates the situation further.

In a significant military move, French and other European troops have arrived in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, as part of a reconnaissance mission. This deployment highlights a geopolitical struggle over the Arctic, particularly as President Trump continues to assert US interest in the territory. NATO allies are reinforcing military presence to ensure stability in the region amid Trump's controversial claims and the ongoing tensions with Russia and China. The situation reflects a deepening commitment among European nations to safeguard Arctic interests.

A 15-strong French military contingent has arrived in the Greenland capital Nuuk, as several European states send soldiers there as part of a so-called reconnaissance mission.

The deployment, which will also include personnel from Germany, Sweden, Norway and the UK, comes as US President Donald Trump continues to press his claim to the Arctic island, which is a semi-autonomous part of Denmark.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the initial troop deployment would be reinforced in the coming days with land, air, and sea assets.

Senior French diplomat Olivier Poivre d'Arvor saw the mission as sending a strong political signal: This is a first exercise... we'll show the US that NATO is present.\

The movement of military personnel comes after Denmark and Greenland's foreign ministers travelled to Washington for a meeting with US Vice-President JD Vance.

Following the meeting, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said while the talks were constructive, there remained a fundamental disagreement between the two sides and later criticised Trump's bid to buy Greenland.

Trump, meanwhile, doubled down on his bid to bring Greenland under US control, telling reporters in the Oval Office, we need Greenland for national security.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland was not planning to join the European military deployment to Greenland, but warned that any US military intervention there would be a political disaster.

Russia's embassy in Belgium expressed serious concern at what was unfolding in the Arctic, accusing NATO of building up a military presence there under the false pretext of a growing threat from Moscow and Beijing.

The European NATO deployment consists of only a few dozen personnel as part of Danish-led joint exercises called Operation Arctic Endurance. Although heavy in symbolism, it was not immediately clear how long they would stay.

Denmark has decided with the government of Greenland to increase military presence around Greenland to bolster NATO's footprint in the Arctic for the benefit of both European and transatlantic security. Macon noted the Europeans had a special responsibility to Greenland because it belongs to the EU and is a NATO ally.

The US already has a military base in Greenland, staffed by up to 150 people, indicating a shared interest in the area's security among all concerned parties.