European troops arrive in Greenland as France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden deploy forces to the Arctic island amid stalled talks with the United States over its future.
France sent 15 soldiers and Germany 13, with troops already arriving in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. The mission is largely symbolic, aiming to plant the EU flag and demonstrate rapid deployment capability, officials said. The operation reflects rising urgency among European nations, particularly after US military assertiveness in Venezuela.
Denmark announced plans to increase its own military presence as Greenlandic and Danish foreign ministers met US officials in Washington. Talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance reportedly failed to dissuade the US from pursuing control of the territory, with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen saying, “It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland.” Greenland’s Vivian Motzfeldt affirmed a desire for cooperation but stressed Greenland does not wish to be “owned by the United States.”
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt downplayed Europe’s troop deployments, asserting they will not influence US plans. President Trump told reporters that Greenland is vital to prevent Russian and Chinese influence, asserting, “There’s not a thing Denmark can do about it, but we can do everything about it.”
The presence of NATO allies is intended both as a deterrent and a demonstration that Denmark can take Arctic defense seriously. Observers note the unusual scenario of NATO countries potentially acting as a check against the US.
Russia has criticised the deployments, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova calling it a pretext to escalate tensions and denouncing the “inconsistency of the so-called rules-based world order.” The Russian ambassador to Belgium also condemned NATO’s militarisation of the Arctic, calling for peaceful cooperation.
Local Inuit communities, particularly in Ilulissat, expressed fear over US ambitions to exploit Greenland’s minerals. Inuit leader Karl Sandgreen said, “We are totally different. We are Inuit, and we’ve been living here for thousands of years… This is my daughter’s and my son’s future.”
