Denmark is said to be deploying additional military forces to Greenland in response to escalating threats from Trump regarding a possible acquisition of the Arctic island.
Initial units are being dispatched to Greenland, a semi-autonomous region under Danish authority, to lay the groundwork for the arrival of larger Danish Army and defense branch contingents, as per the Danish Broadcasting Corporation. A preliminary unit from the Danish Armed Forces is already in place to coordinate logistics in anticipation of further reinforcements.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced plans for a more enduring and heightened military presence in Greenland involving the Danish Armed Forces and international cooperation. Poulsen emphasized the move as a direct response to the challenges posed in the Arctic region. He highlighted the involvement of NATO allies in previous exercises and training activities in Greenland and indicated a similar collaboration in 2026.
Shortly after the news broke, Donald Trump reiterated his belief that the US requires Greenland for national security purposes. Trump emphasized the importance of Greenland for the proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system, stating that failing to secure Greenland could potentially allow Russia or China to take control, which he deemed unacceptable.
Trump has persistently argued for US ownership of Greenland to prevent strategic encroachment by Russia or China. He reiterated his stance from a recent Truth Social post, emphasizing the necessity of US leadership within NATO for the alliance’s effectiveness. Despite Trump’s aspirations, only 17% of Americans support his plan to acquire Greenland according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.
US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are scheduled to meet with Danish and Greenlandic officials at the White House. This meeting follows Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen’s statement reaffirming Greenland’s autonomy and expressing a preference for Danish sovereignty over US control.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced support for Greenland’s autonomy, emphasizing that decisions regarding Greenland should be made solely by Denmark and Greenland. Von der Leyen highlighted the importance of respecting Greenland’s autonomy and right to self-determination.