Denmark has stepped up its military presence in Greenland, deploying additional troops to the strategically important Arctic territory amid renewed statements by former US President Donald Trump calling for American control of the island.
Danish broadcaster TV 2 reported that a fresh contingent of Danish soldiers arrived in Greenland on Monday night, with the Armed Forces describing the deployment as a “substantial contribution” to security operations. Denmark’s Arctic Command confirmed that around 100 troops have already been stationed in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, with more personnel expected to be deployed to Kangerlussuaq in western Greenland.
The move comes against the backdrop of comments by Trump, who has repeatedly questioned Denmark’s ability to secure Greenland from potential threats posed by Russia and China. In a post on Truth Social earlier this month, Trump accused Denmark of failing to protect the territory despite long-standing warnings from NATO.
“NATO has been telling Denmark for 20 years that it needs to address the Russian threat in Greenland,” Trump wrote, adding that the United States should take control of the territory to guarantee global security.
In a recently released text message exchange with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump also challenged Denmark’s historical claim to Greenland, arguing that there were no formal documents supporting its ownership and that the United States had a stronger strategic case.
Danish officials have played down suggestions that the troop deployment was a direct response to Trump’s remarks. Major General Søren Andersen, head of Denmark’s Arctic Command, said the move was driven by broader security considerations in the Arctic region. Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen added that Denmark is strengthening its military footprint in Greenland in coordination with NATO allies as part of efforts to reinforce Arctic defence.
According to Danish authorities, the deployed forces could remain in Greenland for a year or longer, with additional troop rotations planned in the coming years as security concerns in the Arctic continue to grow.
Meanwhile, the White House said the presence of European troops in Greenland would not affect Trump’s interest in acquiring the territory, underscoring the continued political sensitivity surrounding Greenland’s strategic importance.
