Amidst rising geopolitical tensions, several European nations are bolstering their military presence in Greenland, spurred by continued U.S. interest in the islandS strategic value. The moves come as Denmark and its allies navigate a complex situation involving sovereignty, security concerns in the Arctic-including increased activity from Russia and China-and the lingering possibility of a future U.S. attempt to acquire Greenland. This report details the latest developments and reactions from European leaders and military officials.
Several European nations are bolstering their military presence in Greenland as the United States continues to express interest in potentially acquiring the island, a move that has sparked debate about security and sovereignty in the Arctic. The increased military activity comes amid concerns over Russia and China’s growing influence in the region.
The U.S. has justified its interest in Greenland on national security grounds, prompting a response from European leaders and former military officials.
Retired U.S. Army General Ben Hodges recently urged European leaders to stop voicing concerns over former President Trump’s past ambitions regarding Greenland and instead focus on strengthening Europe’s military presence on the island, according to reports.
“If this is about security, then tell the U.S. that you’re going to help,” Hodges said. “That Norwegians, Danes, Canadians, Icelanders, Finns and Swedes will help protect the U.S. Arctic border, and that you [the U.S.] don’t need to do it yourselves.”
Hodges served as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Europe from 2014 to 2018.
On Wednesday, Norway, Germany, Sweden, and France announced they were sending military personnel to Greenland, with Norway dispatching two representatives from its armed forces. This move coincides with Denmark’s announcement of an increased permanent military presence on the island.
However, some experts question the necessity of increased military activity in the region. “There are no threats on Greenland that warrant military forces there. It’s completely absurd to send military personnel to Greenland, where the only weapons people carry are hunting rifles,” said retired Lieutenant General Arne Bård Dalhaug.
Dalhaug, who previously led the NATO Defense College, suggested the deployments might be an attempt to positively influence the former U.S. president. “This also reduces the capacity to deploy forces in Europe, where the threat is present,” he added.
Read also: US Ex-Army Chief for Europe Urges Norwegian and European Leaders to Stop Complaining
Dalhaug dismissed claims made by the U.S. regarding a significant Russian and Chinese presence around Greenland as unfounded, characterizing Norway’s deployment of two personnel as largely symbolic.
Flemming Splidsboel Hansen, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), described the deployments as a significant benefit to both the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland. “I see this as an attempt to appease Trump,” Hansen said.
– Should Not Be in Combat with American Soldiers
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The former U.S. president has repeatedly cited national security concerns as justification for a potential U.S. takeover of Greenland.
“Some say that these forces are meant to restrain Trump, but I see it more as taking Trump’s concerns seriously and acting ourselves. Now, one can no longer say that Denmark is failing Greenland security-politically, because others are also helping us, and security in Greenland is being strengthened within the framework of NATO,” Hansen explained.
“Some refer to it as a ‘tripwire,’ but it’s not the intention that Norwegian soldiers should be in combat with American soldiers,” Hansen emphasized.
Hansen added that this issue extends beyond Denmark and Greenland, impacting the preservation of NATO itself.
“France is opening a consulate in Greenland. This is not a major step, but a symbolically important step to show that they support and recognize Greenland as part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he said.
Meeting in Washington
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Wednesday.
“Do you think the meeting in Washington made Trump change his mind about Greenland, Hansen?”
“No, I don’t think so. But hopefully, there are factors that can hold him back from taking Greenland. Some of us say that domestic political problems in the U.S. are what make him talk so much about Greenland. The mood in Denmark is that the meeting went well, and that we got the message across that Greenland does not want to be part of the U.S.,” he said.
“So, we can only hope that message is sufficient, which it would be for most other countries. But Trump is special, and therefore there is still a tense atmosphere,” Hansen said.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister stated after Wednesday’s Washington meeting that there was agreement to establish a working group to find a common path forward.
However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that the purpose of the working group is to “continue technical discussions about the takeover of Greenland.”
Read also: Greenland’s Prime Minister Says Dialogue Requires Respect for the Island’s Self-Governance
RUSSLAND-FORSKER: Flemming Splidsboel Hansen is a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS).
Photo: Inge Lynggaard Hansen (DIIS KBH).
Here are the countries sending military personnel to Greenland
European countries have sent a small number of military personnel to Greenland alongside a planned military exercise led by Denmark.
Military personnel from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and France were in Nuuk, Greenland, on Thursday.
Personnel may return home as early as this weekend, according to the Swedish news agency TT.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the mission as preparation for the upcoming Arctic Endurance exercise, which Denmark has long planned.
The stated goal is to deter Russia and China and appears to be an attempt to reassure U.S. President Donald Trump that security in the Arctic is being addressed.
Here’s the breakdown so far:
Norway: Two personnel from the Armed Forces. The Norwegian Armed Forces have been contacted but could not provide further details as of Thursday afternoon.
Sweden: Two to three staff officers. The Swedish Armed Forces did not provide details about the mission, but said the staff officers are in place in advance of an upcoming exercise. The mission is to strengthen knowledge of the area and the situational picture.
United Kingdom: One officer
Germany: A team of 13 people. They will assess the conditions for possible military contributions that can support Denmark’s efforts for security in the region, for example by monitoring the seas around Greenland. The mission lasts from January 15-17 and is carried out on behalf of Denmark, according to the German government.
France: Around 15 people. President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that the first soldiers are in Nuuk, and the deployment will be scaled up in the coming days.
Estonia: Prime Minister Kristen Michal says Estonia is contributing to the planned military exercise and will send military personnel to the island if Denmark requests it, according to the Estonian Public Broadcasting ERR.
Netherlands: May also contribute. The newspaper Telegraaf has reported on the possible deployment of marines, fighter jets and submarines.
Canada: The Department of National Defence states that Canadian soldiers are already in Greenland, but they are part of a planned military exercise that takes place every year, not as a result of an ongoing conflict between Denmark and the U.S.
(©NTB)
– Will Soil Their Pants
French President Emmanuel Macron has been prominent on the international stage, taking a clear stance in supporting Greenland and Denmark.
Macron has warned that if the U.S. took Greenland from Denmark, it would trigger a wave of “unprecedented consequences,” according to Le Monde.
Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev, who is the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, has mocked Macron with his typical bullying behavior on social media.
“The Gallic rooster has crowed that if Denmark’s sovereignty is violated, the consequences will be unprecedented. Oh, what will they do then?! Kidnap
EX-DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Arne Bård Dalhaug has experience as a Norwegian representative in NATO’s military committee and former chief of the Defense Staff.
Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum
– Better to Lose Greenland Than Ukraine
Dalhaug does not believe a U.S. annexation of Greenland would trigger an armed conflict between the U.S. and other NATO countries.
“I don’t see anyone wanting to fight for Greenland. If you’re going to be realistically cynical, it’s better to lose Greenland than to lose Ukraine,” Dalhaug said.
“A serious development is that the entire credibility of NATO is slowly being emptied of content. This is not about what we in the West believe about NATO, but what Russia believes about NATO,” he said.
Read also: Russia Says It Is ‘Very Concerned’ About Soldiers From NATO Countries in Greenland
Dalhaug said that one does not need to be a strategic genius to understand that Russian President Vladimir Putin has less respect for NATO now than he did a year ago.
“Strategy and deterrence are not just realities, but also a matter of perception. We don’t know what kind of perception this latest development has created in Putin. But we can be sure that it has not strengthened NATO’s credibility,” he said.
“When Jens Stoltenberg was NATO chief, he often repeated the promise that the defense alliance would protect ‘every millimeter’ of NATO territory. Does that still hold true, Dalhaug?”
“Formally, that is correct, but this is an incantation, and not a strategy. And we are entering a time when incantations don’t help us very much. The fact that Greenland gets to decide its own future is an incantation, but it is quite certain that they will not be allowed to do so,” he said.
