Greenland residents and political leaders have publicly rejected US President Donald Trump’s proposal that the Arctic island could become part of the United States.
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Some NATO allies are sending small numbers of troops to Greenland in a bid to shore up security on the Arctic island following tense talks with the White House over the United States’ intentions to annex the region.
Denmark, Germany, France, Sweden and Norway, which are responsible for Greenland’s defense, this week confirmed plans to send military personnel to the sparsely populated island.
Following his bold military intervention in Venezuela to oust President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, President Trump has renewed his focus on occupying the country.
The deployment of troops came shortly after the Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters alongside his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt that while there were “fundamental differences” with the United States, the hour-long meeting was “frank but constructive.”
Mr. Vance and Mr. Rubio did not immediately comment after the meeting. But US President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: “We need Greenland for our national security.”
The United States, Denmark and Greenland agreed to set up a high-level working group to discuss the island’s future, but as many expected, the three countries were unable to find a diplomatic solution to ease tensions.
(L/R) Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeld speak during a press conference at the Danish Embassy in Washington, DC, January 14, 2026.
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Ahead of the meeting, Denmark on Wednesday announced plans to strengthen its military presence in and around Greenland, saying exercise activities could include guarding national infrastructure, deploying fighter jets and conducting naval operations.
The German Ministry of Defense announced that it would send a 13-person “reconnaissance team” to Nuuk, Greenland, in response to Denmark’s request.
The mission, which will run from Thursday to Saturday, aims to consider the framework for military contributions to regional security, including maritime surveillance capabilities, Germany’s Defense Ministry said.
“Arctic Endurance Operation”
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a social media post that France would also take part in a joint exercise hosted by Denmark in Greenland, which he dubbed “Operation Arctic Endurance.”
“The first French military elements have already left. Others will follow,” Macron told the X program on Wednesday, according to Google Translate.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said several officers from the Swedish military would arrive in Greenland starting Wednesday.
“They are part of a group of several allied countries. They will work together to prepare for the upcoming elements within the framework of the Danish exercise ‘Operation Arctic Endurance’,” Kristersson said via X, according to a translation.
Denmark: “We have stepped up”
Opinion polls show that while an overwhelming majority of Greenlanders oppose U.S. rule, an overwhelming majority support independence from Denmark.
Denmark has pledged in recent months to increase spending on health care and infrastructure, while also seeking to ease tensions with the Trump administration with investments in Arctic defense, including the purchase of 16 more F-35 fighter jets.
“We’ve stepped up. We’ve allocated almost $15 billion to High North capabilities in recent years. We’ve been pushing for increased NATO engagement within the NATO countries in the Arctic,” Rasmussen said Wednesday.
“We have not been able to change the US position. It is clear that the president has a desire to conquer Greenland,” he continued.
“We’ve made it very clear that this is not in the kingdom’s best interests.”
