Amid Donald Trump's ambitions for Greenland, several European countries, including France, Germany, and Sweden, have launched a military reconnaissance mission on the Arctic island. Denmark firmly rejects any US acquisition, while the White House downplays the deployment's impact. Russia voices concern over this Arctic militarization.
On January 15, 2026, a European military mission named Arctic Endurance was launched in Greenland, Denmark's autonomous territory coveted by US President Donald Trump. France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland announced the deployment of military personnel for a joint reconnaissance, in response to perceived Russian and Chinese threats in the Arctic, according to the German Defense Ministry.
Emmanuel Macron confirmed during his New Year's address to the armed forces at Istres that 'a first team of French soldiers is already on site and will be reinforced in the coming days with land, air, and sea assets.' About fifteen French soldiers, alpine hunters specialized in high mountains, are already in Nuuk, stated France's ambassador for the poles and oceans, Olivier Poivre d'Arvor.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that 'US acquisition of Greenland is out of the question,' highlighting a 'fundamental disagreement' with Washington after a White House meeting. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen added that 'the American ambition to take control of Greenland remains intact.' Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called for 'dialogue and diplomacy.'
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the 'deployment of European troops has no impact on Donald Trump's objective to acquire Greenland.' Trump himself believes 'a solution will be found.'
Russia expressed 'serious concern' through its Brussels embassy, denouncing an 'accelerated militarization of the North' on the imaginary pretext of Russian and Chinese threats. A CNN poll shows 75% of Americans oppose a takeover. Europe aims to defend Danish sovereignty without alienating the US, needed for Ukraine support.
