European Troops Touch Down in Greenland Amid Trump's Island Aspirations

Fri Jan 16 2026 08:44:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Tensions rise as European military personnel arrive in Greenland, coinciding with President Trump's claim to the Arctic territory. Discover the implications of this deployment and the geopolitical dynamics at play.

A limited contingent of military personnel from several European nations, including France, Germany, and the UK, has started arriving in Greenland for reconnaissance missions, as President Trump renews his push for the U.S. to acquire the island. French President Macron emphasized strengthening European military presence, sending a strong political signal to the U.S. amidst ongoing tensions. While normalizing NATO's role in the Arctic operations, Trump insists on U.S. control for national security reasons, rejecting any forced negotiations. The deployment symbolizes the collaborative defense efforts of NATO allies against potential threats from Russia and China, although the Danish foreign minister noted fundamental disagreements with Trump's perspective.

A small French military contingent has arrived in Greenland's capital Nuuk, officials say, as several European states deploy small numbers in a so-called reconnaissance mission.

The limited deployment, which also involves Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, 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 contingent would be reinforced soon with land, air, and sea assets.

Senior 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.

Poivre d'Arvor said the initial French deployment involved 15 people, hours after Denmark and Greenland's foreign ministers traveled to Washington for a meeting with US Vice-President JD Vance on Wednesday.

Following the meeting, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said while the talks were constructive, there remained a fundamental disagreement between the two sides and later criticized 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. Although he did not rule out the use of force, he said late on Wednesday that he thought something could be worked out with Denmark.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she doesn't think the deployment of additional European troops to Greenland will impact the president's decision-making process on the Arctic territory.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that any US military intervention in Greenland 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.

However, the European NATO deployment consists of only a few dozen personnel as part of Danish-led joint exercises called Operation Arctic Endurance.

Danish defence officials stated there would be an increased military presence around Greenland in the coming period to bolster NATO's footprint in the Arctic for the benefit of both European and transatlantic security.

Macron said Europeans had a special responsibility to Greenland [because it belongs to the European Union and is a NATO ally].

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that the defence of Greenland is a common concern within NATO.