In a measured show of solidarity amid heightened U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland, small contingents of European NATO troops from France, Germany, the UK, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and others have begun arriving in Nuuk, Greenland's capital.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed that Greenland remains firmly under Danish sovereignty and autonomy as part of the Kingdom of Denmark. She described the defense of Greenland as a "common concern for the entire NATO alliance," warning that any attack on the territory—protected under NATO's collective defense framework—would have severe consequences, potentially ending the alliance's post-World War II security structure, though she has not explicitly invoked Article 5 in the latest statements.
Denmark is expanding its military presence with additional aircraft, vessels, and personnel, coordinating joint exercises like Operation Arctic Endurance with allies to strengthen Arctic security. These deployments, described as symbolic and reconnaissance-focused, aim to demonstrate European unity and NATO's commitment to the region.
The developments follow U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated assertions that Greenland is vital for American national security, prompting diplomatic tensions despite ongoing talks.
This is reported by The Guardian, Reuters, BBC, AP News, CNN, Euronews, and The Intercept, which detail the troop arrivals, Frederiksen's reaffirmations, and the broader Arctic context.