The European military mission in Greenland is taking shape, albeit with more symbolic numbers than real deterrence, but the announcements and the first movements of European officers on the soil of the autonomous Danish territory are enough to trigger Moscow’s “serious concern”.
Disputed Greenland, Frederiksen: «American ambition remains intact»
On the diplomatic front, the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, admits that “the American ambition” to take Greenland “remains intact” the day after the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Copenhagen and Nuuk at the White House and confirms “the fundamental disagreement” on the match.
Planes and troops arrived: several NATO countries involved
Meanwhile, in the last few hours at least two Danish troop transport planes have landed on the Arctic island. Great Britain, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have announced the deployment of military personnel as part of a reconnaissance mission in the capital Nuuk, as part of the Danish “Arctic Endurance” exercise organized with NATO allies. Estonia has indicated its willingness to contribute and Spain will probably make it official in the next few hours.
Symbolic reinforcements and strategic objectives in the Arctic
The modest military reinforcements – 13 German soldiers, for example – are to prepare the armed forces for future exercises in the Arctic, according to European defense sources. “A first team of French soldiers is already on site and will be reinforced in the next few days with land, air and sea means,” declared the French president, Emmanuel Macron. The German Ministry of Defense confirmed that the aim is to “explore the framework conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region”.
Washington Summit and Working Group on Arctic Security
The Foreign Ministers of Denmark and Greenland, Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Vivian Motzfeldt, met with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday in Washington. Frederiksen said “a working group” had been established to discuss how to improve security in the Arctic.
“However, this does not change the fact that there is a fundamental disagreement, because the American ambition to conquer Greenland remains intact,” he commented, welcoming the arrival of European military personnel in Greenland.
Trump and Greenland: between openings and strategic threats
“There is consensus within the NATO alliance that a strengthened presence in the Arctic is crucial for European and North American security,” he said. Trump argued that if the United States doesn’t take Greenland, “China or Russia will,” deriding Danish efforts to increase Greenland’s security as “two dogsleds.”
Denmark says it has invested nearly $14 billion in Arctic security.
Moscow on the attack: «NATO presence is a cause for serious concern»
The Russian embassy in Belgium, where NATO is based, for its part said that the arrival of NATO forces in Greenland was worrying. “The situation that is developing in high latitudes is a cause of serious concern for us”, highlighted the diplomatic representation. NATO is “strengthening its military presence there under the false pretext of a growing threat from Moscow and Beijing,” he added.
After attending talks at the White House, Rasmussen wrote on Facebook: «We agree on the goal, improving long-term security in the Arctic. But we don’t agree on the method.” «We are in 2026: you can trade with people, but you don’t trade people».
Greenland is a key hub for US missile defense
After the meeting, Trump for the first time appeared conciliatory on Greenland, recognizing Denmark’s interests, although he reiterated that he was not ruling out any options. “I think something will work out,” he said. Trump insisted that Greenland is “vital” for his “Golden Dome” air defense system, as it lies on the shortest missile route between Russia and the United States.