European NATO countries are deploying military personnel to Greenland this week in a coordinated response to escalating threats from US President Donald Trump to forcibly annex the Arctic island. This move underscores the deepening crisis within the transatlantic alliance as Europe rallies to defend Greenland’s sovereignty against its most powerful member.
The deployments come after Trump repeatedly declared his intention to seize control of Greenland, the world’s largest island, including by force if necessary. In a press conference with oil executives on Friday, he stated he was “going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” and on Wednesday, he argued on Truth Social that US control would benefit NATO. These threats have raised the extraordinary prospect of a NATO member attacking another, challenging the alliance’s core principle of collective defense.
Denmark, which is responsible for Greenland’s defense, announced an expanded military presence in close cooperation with NATO allies. Following this, Germany confirmed it is sending a reconnaissance team of 13 soldiers to Greenland on Thursday for an exploration mission with other partner nations. Sweden has also dispatched troops to participate in the upcoming Operation Arctic Endurance exercise, as announced by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
France and Norway are contributing personnel as well, with French President Emmanuel Macron stating that the first French military units are already en route. Additionally, Canada and France plan to open consulates in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, in the coming weeks to reinforce diplomatic support. While joint exercises in the Arctic are not unusual, the timing and symbolism of these deployments signal a strong show of European solidarity amid unprecedented tension.
The crisis prompted high-level meetings between Danish, Greenlandic, and US officials. On Wednesday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic counterparts met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. Rasmussen described the discussions as “frank but constructive,” though a “fundamental disagreement” persists, and a working group has been formed to explore a common path forward.
European leaders have consistently rejected Trump’s annexation rhetoric. German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil warned that transatlantic ties are “disintegrating” under Trump’s administration, citing the US actions in Venezuela and threats against Greenland as evidence of a shift away from Europe. Similarly, the head of Germany’s reservists’ association called for European troops to be sent to Greenland to block a US takeover, emphasizing the need to take Trump’s threats seriously.
The situation poses a severe test for NATO, as an attack on Greenland would violate the alliance’s mutual defense clause and could effectively end it. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has downplayed the likelihood of such an attack, calling it “completely hypothetical,” but the European troop deployments are a precautionary measure to deter aggression and reassure allies.
Looking ahead, the working group between US and Danish officials is expected to meet in the coming weeks, while the troop deployments and consulate openings will proceed. This episode highlights the fragility of NATO in the face of internal discord and sets the stage for continued diplomatic and military posturing in the Arctic region, with implications for global security dynamics.
