Denmark has said that Washington’s ambition to take control of Greenland remains unchanged, even as European Nato members begin deploying military personnel to the strategically located Arctic island — a move that has prompted a sharp warning from Russia.
The statement comes a day after high-level talks in Washington between US, Danish and Greenlandic officials failed to bridge what Copenhagen described as a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory that US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said Washington needs to acquire for security reasons.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Thursday that a “working group” would be established to discuss ways to strengthen Arctic security, but stressed that this did not change the core dispute. “The American ambition to take over Greenland remains intact,” she said, calling the situation “serious” and adding that Denmark would continue efforts to ensure such a scenario does not materialise.
Her remarks came as France, Germany, Sweden and Norway confirmed the deployment of military personnel to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, as part of a reconnaissance mission. Greenland’s deputy prime minister Mute Egede said Nato forces would become more visible on the island in the coming days, with increased military flights and naval movements, adding that the troops would be engaged in “training”, reported.
Germany’s defence ministry said the mission is intended to assess options for strengthening Arctic security amid what it described as “Russian and Chinese threats”. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that the first French personnel were already en route.
Russia reacted strongly to the developments. Its embassy in Belgium said the growing Nato presence in Greenland was “of serious concern” and accused the alliance of using alleged threats from Moscow and Beijing as a “false pretext” to build up forces in the region.
Trump has argued that if the United States does not take control of Greenland, “China or Russia will”, comments that have heightened tensions within Nato and fuelled anxiety among Greenland’s residents, many of whom fear becoming caught in the middle of a major geopolitical confrontation.
