European troops are arriving in Greenland as NATO allies begin a small, Danish-led reconnaissance mission, officials said. The deployment follows renewed claims by US President Donald Trump that the United States needs the island for security reasons.
France confirmed that a small contingent has reached Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. Other participating countries include Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The mission forms part of a joint exercise called Operation Arctic Endurance and includes only a few dozen personnel.
French President Emmanuel Macron said authorities will soon reinforce the initial presence with additional land, air, and naval capabilities. French diplomat Olivier Poivre d’Arvor described the deployment as highly symbolic, saying it sends a clear political message that NATO allies are active in the Arctic region.
The French contribution initially consists of around 15 personnel. Their arrival coincided with a visit by the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland to Washington, where they met US Vice-President JD Vance. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said discussions were constructive but confirmed that a “fundamental disagreement” remains over Greenland’s future.
President Trump has continued to press his case, telling reporters that Greenland is essential to US national security. While he suggested that a negotiated solution with Denmark remains possible, he did not rule out stronger measures. Denmark has firmly rejected any proposal to sell or transfer sovereignty over the island.
European leaders have warned that unilateral action would have serious consequences. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland would not join the Greenland deployment. He warned that any US military intervention would be a “political disaster” and said a conflict between NATO allies would undermine the alliance’s foundations.
Russia has also responded to developments in the Arctic. Moscow’s embassy in Belgium expressed concern, accusing NATO of expanding its presence under what it called false claims of threats from Russia and China.
Despite the rhetoric, the European deployment remains small and temporary. Finland has sent two liaison officers for what it described as a fact-finding mission, while Germany dispatched an A400M transport aircraft carrying 13 soldiers for a short stay. Sweden, Norway, the UK, and the Netherlands have also contributed individual officers.
Danish defence officials said they agreed on the increased activity with Greenland’s government to strengthen NATO’s footprint in the Arctic and support both European and transatlantic security. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that Greenland’s defense is a shared responsibility among the alliance.
The United States already operates a military base in Greenland with up to 150 personnel. Existing agreements with Copenhagen allow the US to expand its presence. European officials say the current initiative highlights that Arctic security is a shared responsibility, not the task of any single country.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has described the situation as a geopolitical crisis. He said Greenlanders do not want to be governed by the United States. He added that they would choose to remain within the Kingdom of Denmark if forced to decide.
As diplomatic talks continue, Denmark has reiterated that it sees no immediate security threat from China or Russia. Officials said Denmark can manage such risks in cooperation with its allies. A US congressional delegation is expected in Copenhagen in the coming days, as the debate over Greenland’s strategic future intensifies.
