NATO Makes Teensy Deployments To Greenland As Trump Presses For Control

Several European NATO countries are sending small contingents of military personnel to Greenland this week for joint exercises with Denmark, as President Donald Trump continues to press the need to bring the self-governing Arctic territory under U.S. control.

Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland have confirmed deployments of limited numbers of military personnel to Greenland for exercises alongside Danish forces. The move follows a Wednesday meeting between Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which resulted in no apparent resolution, as Trump continues to insist that anything short of full U.S. control of Greenland is “unacceptable.”

“The geopolitical tensions have spread to the Arctic. The Government of Greenland, and the Danish Ministry of Defense have therefore decided to continue the Danish Armed Forces’ increased exercise activity in Greenland, in close cooperation with NATO allies,” the Danish Ministry of Defense said in a statement Wednesday. “The purpose is to train the ability to operate under the unique Arctic conditions and to strengthen the alliance’s footprint in the Arctic, benefiting both European and transatlantic security.”

Germany is sending a 13-person “reconnaissance team” for an “exploration mission” at Denmark’s invitation, the German Defense Ministry said.

Sweden confirmed that “several officers” have deployed to Greenland, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on X. The Swedish officers will be part of a group of troops from other allied countries who will together prepare for an upcoming exercise called Operation Arctic Endurance, he said.

Norway is contributing two defense personnel, while the Netherlands will send a single naval officer, according to Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.

“A larger NATO deployment, Arctic Sentry, is a possible next step,” Brekelmans said.

NATO routinely conducts joint military training in allied countries, while the U.S. and other allies have been pushing for years to increase joint exercises in the Arctic Circle.

The EU has “a strategic responsibility” in Greenland, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Thursday, following French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France would soon send additional “land, air, and sea” assets to participate in a military exercise in Greenland.

Greenland “is a European territory that is placed under NATO protection,” Barrot said, adding, “NATO, NATO’s allies, European countries are fully capable of defending their territory against any threats, wherever they may come from.”

Denmark and Greenland “still have a fundamental disagreement” with the U.S. over Trump’s desire to control the Arctic territory, Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Wednesday following the meeting with Vance and Rubio.

“We didn’t manage to change the American position,” Rasmussen said. “It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland. We made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of the Kingdom.”

Trump has framed the push as a response to Russian and Chinese activity near Greenland, warning that Denmark and Greenland are unprepared to defend themselves.

“Greenland should make the deal because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,” the president said on Sunday. “Basically, their defense is two dog sleds.”

While European leaders have criticized Trump’s remarks, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte took a calmer stance, stating Jan. 12 that the alliance is “working in the right direction” and that there is no crisis.