Denmark lands troops in Greenland and Europe expands response to the USA

Denmark landed the first military troops in Greenland this Wednesday (14), amid pressure from the United States government on the territory, following threats from President Donald Trump to take control of the island.

France, Germany, Sweden and Norway also announced the sending of troops for exercises and reconnaissance missions, expanding the European response to the North American escalation.

A plane from the Royal Danish Air Force landed at Nuuk airport, the capital of Greenland, late Wednesday night, disembarking military personnel who must prepare the arrival of new troops and support exercises in the region, according to the Joint Arctic Command.

In a statement released on Wednesday (14), Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that “security in the Arctic is of crucial importance for the Kingdom of Denmark and our allies” and that, given the current scenario, the country decided to “strengthen, in close cooperation with allies, the ability to operate in the region”.

The landing takes place the day after the meeting held at the White House between representatives of the United States, Denmark and Greenland, led by North American Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which ended without an agreement due to Washington’s demand to take control of the island.

In a statement released on Wednesday (14), Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that the military reinforcement responds to a scenario of growing tension in the Arctic.

“Security in the Arctic is of crucial importance to the Kingdom of Denmark and our Arctic allies, which is why, in close cooperation with allies, it is important to further strengthen our ability to operate in the region,” he stated.

“As a natural extension of these efforts, we will continue and expand cooperation in 2026. The Danish Armed Forces, together with several Arctic and European allies, will explore in the coming weeks how an increased presence and exercise activity in the Arctic can be implemented in practice,” said Poulsen.

European allies also send troops

Germany, France, Sweden and Norway also announced this Wednesday the sending of military personnel to Greenland.

According to the German government, a group of reconnaissance soldiers was deployed to Nuuk at the request of Denmark, with the mission of evaluating possible military contributions and strengthening security in the region.

The German Defense Ministry stated that the shipment is part of a coordinated action with European allies in the face of worsening tensions in the Arctic.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that French troops will participate in military exercises organized by Denmark.

“The first French soldiers are already on the way. Others will follow,” said Macron, when announcing France’s participation in the operation called Arctic Resistance.

Sweden also confirmed the deployment of military personnel, following a formal request from Copenhagen. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said officers from the Swedish Armed Forces will participate in a multinational force aimed at preparing the next phases of the Operation Arctic Endurance exercise.

Norway, in turn, said it will send military personnel to join cooperation and training missions in Greenland. Norwegian authorities highlighted that the presence occurs in coordination with Denmark and other European allies, in response to the scenario of instability created by North American threats.

The announcements came on the same day that authorities from Denmark and Greenland met in Washington with the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, a meeting that ended without agreement and with the maintenance of what Copenhagen classified as a “fundamental disagreement” over the future of the island.