NATO Troop Deployment to Greenland Escalates Amid Ongoing US Diplomatic Rift

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More NATO troops are heading to Greenland, the Arctic island’s deputy prime minister has said, after a White House meeting between US, Danish and Greenlandic leaders that failed to resolve what the Danish foreign minister characterised as a “fundamental disagreement”.

“Soldiers of NATO are expected to be more present in Greenland from today and in the coming days. It is expected that there will be more military flights and ships,” Greenland deputy prime minister Mute Egede told a news conference on Wednesday, adding they would be “training”.

France, Germany and Nordic countries said earlier they would be taking part in a European military mission to the autonomous Danish territory, which is coveted by US President Donald Trump.

Trump held open the possibility Wednesday for a resolution on his designs over Greenland after Denmark’s top diplomat said he failed to change the administration’s mind on wanting to conquer the island.

The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, recently convened at the White House for a significant meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions, initiated at the request of the Danish and Greenlandic representatives, aimed to address and clarify recent tensions stemming from former President Trump’s assertive remarks towards Denmark, a fellow NATO ally.

Following the White House meeting, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen assured reporters that the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland is “completely unnecessary.” His comments came as part of a broader appeal for cooperative and respectful dialogue between the U.S. and Denmark regarding Greenland’s future.

Trump, speaking after the meeting which he did not attend, for the first time sounded conciliatory on Greenland, acknowledging Denmark’s interests even if he again said he was not ruling out any options.

“I have a very good relationship with Denmark, and we’ll see how it all works out. I think something will work out,” Trump said without explaining further.

He again said Denmark was powerless if Russia or China wanted to occupy Greenland, but added: “There’s everything we can do.”

Rasmussen emphasized the importance of maintaining a respectful partnership, underscoring that Denmark, a loyal ally, has shared sacrifices with the U.S. in conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq. “We couldn’t sway the American stance,” he admitted, “but we made it unequivocally clear that any ambition to acquire Greenland is contrary to the interests of our kingdom.”

A man and a woman wearing suits holding a press conference

The discussions around Greenland’s status are particularly sensitive for both Greenlandic and Danish citizens, reflecting the deep emotional and historical ties they have with the territory. The meeting was an essential step in addressing these concerns and reinforcing the strength and unity within the NATO alliance.

“We didn’t manage to change the American position. It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland. And we made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of the kingdom,” Løkke told reporters.

“We still have fundamental disagreement, but we will continue to talk,” he said.

We also agree to disagree,” he added.

He said the issue was “very emotional” for the people of Greenland and Denmark, a steadfast US ally whose troops died alongside Americans in Afghanistan and, controversially, Iraq.

“Ideas that would not respect [the] territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of self-determination of the Greenlandic people are, of course, totally unacceptable,” Løkke said.

He nonetheless said the tone was “constructive” and said the sides would form a committee that would meet within weeks to see if there was possible headway.

Referring to the British prime minister who trumpeted his diplomacy with Hitler, Løkke said, “I am not a Chamberlain to say “Peace for our time,” but we must seize the opportunities that present themselves.”

Two dogsleds or $14 billion?

While the talks were underway, the White House posted on X: “Which way, Greenland man?”

The post included a drawing of two dogsleds — one heading towards the White House and a huge US flag, and the other towards Chinese and Russian flags over a lightning-bathed Kremlin and Great Wall of China.

Neither country has claimed Greenland, and Løkke said no Chinese ship had been spotted there in a decade and that there were no major Chinese investments.

Denmark promised ahead of the meeting to ramp up its military presence further in the vast, sparsely populated and strategically located island.

Trump has derided recent Danish efforts to increase security for Greenland as amounting to “two dogsleds.” Denmark says it has invested almost US$14 billion in Arctic security.

NATO boosts military presence around Greenland

Ahead of the meeting, which lasted less than two hours and wrapped up at around noon, Greenland and Denmark said they had started to increase their military presence in and around Greenland in close cooperation with NATO allies, as part of their promise to beef up Arctic defence.

Denmark also announced immediate military exercises that will include aircraft, vessels and soldiers, with Sweden also participating.

In another show of solidarity with Denmark following Trump’s threats, Germany and France both said Wednesday they will send troops to Greenland.

Germany’s defence ministry said it would send a 13-person reconnaissance team to “explore the framework conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region”, the German defence ministry said.

In a social media post just hours before the meeting between Vance and the foreign ministers, Trump said Greenland was “vital for the Golden Dome that we are building”.

He said NATO would become far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the US. “Anything less than that is unacceptable,” he wrote.

In a follow-up post citing Russia and China, Trump wrote: “NATO: Tell Denmark to get them out of here, NOW! Two dogsleds won’t do it! Only the USA can!!!”

Trump had repeatedly said in recent weeks that the strategically located and mineral-rich island is vital to US security, and the US must own it to prevent Russia or China from occupying it.

Greenland and Denmark say the island is not for sale, and that threats of force are reckless and security concerns should be resolved among allies. Prominent European Union countries have backed Denmark, which is a member of the NATO alliance.