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By Andrew Stanton
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Denmark and its allies are planning to send military troops to Greenland in light of President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to annex the territory, according to recent reports.
Newsweek reached out the Pentagon for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Trump has repeatedly suggested the United States should acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, arguing that is critical for U.S. security given the threats posed by Russia and China. However, that has sparked rebuke from European allies who have viewed his remarks as a threat to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Greenland’s sovereignty.
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What to Know
The following map shows which countries are planning to send troops to Greenland amid Trump’s threats.
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https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/27215442/
The Danish Defense Ministry wrote in a statement the government has “decided to continue the Defence Forces' increased exercise activity in Greenland in close cooperation with NATO allies.”
“This means that from today there will be an increased military presence in and around Greenland - in close cooperation with NATO allies. The purpose is to train the ability to operate under the unique Arctic conditions and to strengthen the alliance's footprint in the Arctic for the benefit of both European and transatlantic security,” the ministry wrote in a statement.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that the nation is sending troops to Greenland in a post to X on Wednesday.
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“Several officers from the Swedish Armed Forces are arriving in Greenland today. They are part of a group from several allied countries. Together, they will prepare for upcoming elements within the framework of the Danish exercise Operation Arctic Endurance. It is at Denmark's request that Sweden is sending personnel from the Armed Forces,” he wrote.
Politico reported, citing a European diplomat, that troops from Canada, the Netherlands and Germany would also be joining.
Trump has been talking about the U.S. potentially taking control of Greenland for months, but tensions over the proposal have grown in recent days. On Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Danish officials.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Trump said it “may be a choice” between preserving NATO and acquiring Greenland.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote to Truth Social on Wednesday: “The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security. It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building. NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! Militarily, without the vast power of the United States, much of which I built during my first term, and am now bringing to a new and even higher level, NATO would not be an effective force or deterrent - Not even close! They know that, and so do I. NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES.”
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told reporters on Wednesday: “We, the kingdom of Denmark, continue to believe that the long-term security of Greenland can be ensured inside the current framework, the 1951 agreement on the defense of Greenland, as well as the NATO treaty. For us, ideas that would not respect territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of self-determination of the Greenlandic people are, of course, totally unacceptable.”
What Happens Next
Tensions over Greenland continue to loom over NATO. A new poll from YouGov and The Economist this week found that a large majority—68 percent—oppose taking Greenland by force. Only eight percent would support the government doing so.
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