On Thursday, troops from several European countries continued to arrive in Greenland, demonstrating solidarity with Denmark amid ongoing negotiations involving representatives from Denmark, Greenland, and the United States. These discussions have highlighted a "fundamental disagreement" regarding the future of Greenland, particularly concerning American interest in acquiring the island.
The situation intensified on Thursday, with the White House labeling upcoming discussions with Danish and Greenlandic officials as "technical talks on the acquisition agreement" about Greenland. This characterization contrasted sharply with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen's description of the talks as focusing on finding common ground to address the security concerns of the U.S. while respecting Denmark's boundaries.
Prior to these discussions, Denmark declared plans to augment its military presence in Greenland. Several European nations, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands, initiated troop deployments or pledged to do so shortly, a move intended to project European unity and signal to President Donald Trump that NATO could effectively safeguard the Arctic region despite growing Russian and Chinese interests.
Despite the European troop movements, the White House indicated that they did not alter President Trump's aims. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that Trump's top priority remains the acquisition of Greenland, citing it as vital for U.S. national security.
During discussions at the White House, Rasmussen and Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt acknowledged the ongoing and significant disagreement regarding Greenland's status. Rasmussen affirmed that President Trump still harbors the desire to take control of Greenland, but they would engage in further dialogues in the coming weeks.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that initial military personnel had already been deployed to Nuuk, Greenland, for a military exercise, while Germany confirmed the deployment of a reconnaissance team of 13 soldiers. Denmark's Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated their intention to establish a more continuous military presence in Greenland, integrating rotations of soldiers from several NATO allies.
Inhabitants of Greenland and Denmark expressed a mix of anxiety and relief concerning the continuation of negotiations with the U.S. and the evident support from European countries. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasized that "Greenland is not for sale," insisting that its people do not wish to be part of the United States or governed by it.
Local residents in Nuuk reported feeling reassured by the European military support, which they viewed as a protective measure against any potential U.S. military actions. However, European military officials have not suggested that the troop deployments aim to deter U.S. actions. Young resident Maya Martinsen reflected that the core of the dispute lies not in national security but in Greenland's untouched natural resources.
Defense Minister Poulsen announced that a more substantial military presence in the Arctic was necessary due to the unpredictable security environment. He indicated that Denmark would conduct military exercises and increase the military footprint in and around Greenland, highlighting the importance of the Arctic for transatlantic security.
The Russian embassy in Brussels criticized what it termed the West's "bellicose plans" regarding Greenland, arguing against an imagined threat and asserting that Arctic territory should remain a domain of peace and cooperation.
With uncertainty surrounding Greenland's status, lawmaker Juno Berthelsen from the pro-independence Naleraq party expressed optimism over the representation of Greenland in discussions, believing that a relationship with the U.S. could enhance security in the Arctic. Meanwhile, the bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress remained a concern as lawmakers from both parties expressed apprehension regarding Trump's aggressive pursuit of Greenland, with some advocating for a collaborative approach with Denmark instead of coercive tactics.
As discussions continue, public sentiments in Greenland reflect a cautious but hopeful outlook on the matter. While acknowledging that the threat may not have entirely dissipated, residents like Line McGee felt a sense of relief from the diplomatic progress shown in the talks, indicating that dialogues were ongoing and positive developments were taking shape. Trump's vague remarks on the issue suggested that he remains optimistic about the eventual resolution, leaving the future of Greenland’s status uncertain.
