European Nations Deploy Troops to Greenland Amid U.S.-Denmark Dispute

European troops continued to arrive in Greenland on Thursday as Denmark and its allies sought to demonstrate unity amid escalating tensions with the United States over the Arctic island’s future. The troop movements came as high-level talks between representatives of Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S. revealed what Danish officials described as a “fundamental disagreement” over Washington’s stated ambition to acquire Greenland.

Denmark announced earlier this week that it would increase its military presence in Greenland, prompting several European partners—including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands—to send symbolic troop contingents or pledge deployments in the coming days. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that the first French military elements were already en route, while German authorities said a reconnaissance team of 13 personnel would be deployed on Thursday.

The diplomatic divide sharpened after the White House characterized the ongoing discussions as “technical talks on the acquisition agreement,” a description that contrasted sharply with Denmark’s position. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the working group’s focus should be on addressing U.S. security concerns while respecting Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland. Rasmussen acknowledged that dialogue would continue, even as the disagreement remained unresolved.

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The troop deployments were intended to signal that NATO allies can collectively safeguard Arctic security without a U.S. takeover, particularly amid growing Russian and Chinese interest in the region. However, the show of European support appeared to have little effect on Washington’s stance. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the presence of European forces did not alter President Donald Trump’s goal of acquiring Greenland, which he views as vital to U.S. national security.

Greenland’s leaders have firmly rejected the idea of any transfer of sovereignty. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reiterated that Greenland “is not for sale” and does not wish to be owned or governed by the United States. While welcoming continued dialogue, Greenlandic officials stressed the importance of diplomacy and direct representation in talks concerning the island’s future.

Local reactions in Nuuk reflected a mix of anxiety and cautious reassurance. Some residents said the visible European military support offered protection against uncertainty, even as officials emphasized that the deployments were not intended to deter U.S. action. NATO declined to comment on coordination details, while Russia criticized the Western troop movements as “bellicose,” warning against the militarization of the Arctic region.

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