France and Germany began deploying military personnel to Greenland on Thursday as Denmark and its European allies stepped up defense preparations in response to renewed pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly said Washington must acquire the Arctic island for security reasons.
The initial deployments are part of a broader effort by Denmark and its partners to reassure the United States that Greenland’s security is being strengthened — while also pushing back against Trump’s assertion that Copenhagen cannot protect the strategically located territory from Russian or Chinese influence.
Officials from France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway have confirmed they are sending military staff to Greenland to help prepare for larger joint exercises planned later this year. The drills are expected to focus on surveillance, mobility, and coordination in extreme Arctic conditions.
Germany’s defense ministry said it was dispatching a 13-member reconnaissance team to Nuuk aboard an Airbus A400M transport aircraft on Thursday. France is also sending personnel, including specialists trained for operations in mountainous and cold-weather environments, according to European defense officials.
In a statement, Denmark’s Ministry of Defence said allied forces would work together in the coming weeks to determine how a stronger and more sustained military presence in the Arctic could be implemented.
The military moves followed a meeting on Wednesday involving officials from the United States, Denmark, and Greenland. While the talks avoided public confrontation, they failed to resolve deep disagreements over Greenland’s future.
Trump has argued that the mineral-rich island is critical to U.S. national security and has said Washington must control it to prevent Russia or China from gaining a foothold in the Arctic. He has warned that “all options” remain on the table, including the use of force.
Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, and Copenhagen have firmly rejected those claims, saying the island is not for sale and that security concerns should be addressed through cooperation among allies.
European leaders have largely rallied behind Denmark, with several warning that any attempt by the United States to seize Greenland militarily could undermine NATO’s credibility.
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According to Marc Jacobsen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College, the deployments carry a dual message.
“One purpose is deterrence — to show that Greenland would be defended if military action were considered,” Jacobsen told Reuters. “The other is to demonstrate that Denmark and its allies take U.S. security concerns seriously and are increasing their presence and surveillance in the Arctic.”
The scale of the planned military buildup has not been disclosed, and officials say the current deployments remain limited. However, further exercises involving additional troops and assets are expected later this year as NATO allies continue to assess security risks in the rapidly warming Arctic.