European Military Personnel Deploy in Greenland Amidst US Claims

Thu Jan 15 2026 18:37:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A contingent of European military forces has arrived in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, amid US President Trump's assertions of needing the Arctic island for national security. This deployment comes during heightened geopolitical tensions surrounding the region.

A military contingent from France has landed in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, signaling a coordinated European effort as part of NATO exercises while the US seeks to assert control over the island. The presence of military personnel from multiple nations, including Germany and Sweden, aims to send a strong political message to the US regarding security in the Arctic. Tensions rise over contrasting US and Danish views on the region's governance and its implications for geopolitical stability.

A 15-strong French military contingent has arrived in the Greenland capital Nuuk, as several European states send soldiers there as part of a so-called reconnaissance mission.

The deployment, which will also include personnel from Germany, Sweden, Norway, 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 stated that the initial troop deployment would be bolstered in the coming days with land, air, and sea assets. Senior French diplomat Olivier Poivre d'Arvor noted that the mission sends a strong political signal: This is a first exercise... we'll show the US that NATO is present.

The movement of military personnel follows a meeting in Washington between Denmark and Greenland's foreign ministers and US Vice-President JD Vance. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen described the talks as constructive but highlighted a fundamental disagreement with Trump’s ambitions regarding Greenland.

Trump reiterated his stance, stating, we need Greenland for national security, and implied the potential for force to secure US interests in the region should it be threatened by Russia or China.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed concerns over the potential for US military intervention, warning that it could lead to catastrophic consequences for NATO alliances. Meanwhile, Russia's embassy in Belgium condemned NATO's military expansion in the Arctic, claiming it was built on unfounded fears of threats from Moscow and Beijing.

While the current European NATO deployment consists of just a few dozen soldiers as part of Danish-led exercises named Operation Arctic Endurance, officials clarify that the military presence is intended to signal European commitment to Arctic security.

Danish officials have affirmed plans to increase military activity around Greenland, emphasizing that it benefits both European and transatlantic security interests. Macron has urged a collective European responsibility for Greenland, highlighting its status as part of the EU and a NATO ally.