Europe strengthens military presence in Greenland amid Trump's threats

Amid increasing pressure from Washington, European NATO ally countries have initiated an emergency deployment of military units to Greenland. At the invitation of Copenhagen, countries such as France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada are sending their forces and equipment to the island. Officially, the operation, dubbed "Operation Arctic Guardian," aims to protect critical infrastructure and conduct maritime surveillance. However, experts note that this is related to Europe's attempts to safeguard the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Concern among European capitals has grown following recent statements by Donald Trump regarding the need for control over Greenland. The U.S. President has once again raised the issue of the possibility of purchasing the island and even hinted at the potential use of force, considering it vital for the country's security. On January 12, a bill was introduced in the U.S. Congress regarding the possible annexation of Greenland, with subsequent granting of state status. Washington justifies its ambitions by the necessity to counter the growing influence of China and Russia in the Arctic region.

In response to these threats, the Bundeswehr has already sent specialists to Nuuk to assess the possibility of military involvement, while Sweden and France have also deployed their groups of officers. Germany is actively promoting the establishment of a permanent NATO mission in the Arctic, similar to the "Baltic Guardian." The head of the Greenland government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has officially stated the island's unwillingness to become part of the U.S., preferring to remain under Danish administration. Despite extensive internal autonomy, defense matters for Greenland remain with Copenhagen, which is now compelled to demonstrate to Washington its ability to protect Arctic borders in conjunction with allies.