Denmark and its allies ramp up military deployments to Greenland with French and German troops arriving Thursday, aiming to reassure US President Donald Trump amid his persistent push to take control of the strategic Arctic island.
Wednesday's White House talks with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio yielded a joint working group but no shift in Washington's demand for ownership, which Denmark flatly rejects as a sovereignty violation. European nations frame the moves as both deterrence and a serious response to American security worries over Russia and China.
Troop arrivals begin
French and German forces touched down in Nuuk on Thursday to kick off joint drills, with a German Airbus A400M carrying 13 reconnaissance staff and Danish aircraft unloading soldiers in fatigues. France's President Emmanuel Macron confirmed more units en route, stressing NATO unity and boosted surveillance.
Ambassador Olivier Poivre d’Arvor told France Info the effort proves EU commitment to regional defence without yielding ground. Initial steps look modest but lay groundwork for larger scale operations planned later this year.
Trump’s ownership demand
Trump insists Greenland’s minerals and position make it essential for US security and his Golden Dome project, claiming Denmark lacks strength to block Russian or Chinese footholds.
He deems anything short of full US control unacceptable and has floated all options, alarming allies who warn forced takeover risks shredding NATO. Greenland leaders call sale talk reckless, pledging allied cooperation instead. The row echoes past spats but carries fresh edge given Arctic resource grabs and great power jostling.
Ally response strategy
Ahead of talks, Denmark and Greenland announced Arctic build ups with NATO partners to counter critique. Germany, France, Sweden and Norway commit personnel for groundwork toward bigger exercises later in 2026.
Danish Defence Ministry plans weeks of tests to shape sustained presence. Expert Marc Jacobsen at Royal Danish Defence College sees dual aims: ready defence if needed, plus proof of stepped up patrols. These steps aim to show resolve without direct clash, buying time for dialogue.
White House talks outcome
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenland's Vivian Motzfeldt met US counterparts but saw no climbdown on acquisition goal. Parties agreed to a task force for wide issues like surveillance, resources and joint patrols, yet sovereignty stands firm. The group will tackle practical gaps while allies pour in troops. Deployments signal to Washington that Europe means business on guarding the territory, blending firmness with alliance loyalty.
Broader implications
NATO cohesion hangs in balance as Trump tests allied unity over Arctic stakes. Denmark bets on multinational shows of force to defuse pressure without concession. Success hinges on scaling presence fast enough to match rhetoric. For now, boots on Greenland ice mark a starting line in a high stakes game.
