Brussels has proposed doubling direct aid to Greenland in the EU’s next budget as military exercises begin.
Published September 8, 2026
The European Union has signed a declaration with resource-rich Greenland, pledging a stronger partnership and announcing a $232 million (€200 million) investment package to ease fears caused by US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to annex the autonomous Danish territory.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the package, which aims to improve the region’s quality of life over the next two years, during a visit to Greenland’s capital Nuuk on Monday.
The EU has shifted its focus to Greenland, seeking greater cooperation with the Arctic island after President Trump called for greater US control over the semi-autonomous region. His persistent threats, citing national security concerns, drew backlash from Greenland and Denmark and strained relations with NATO allies.
“The future of Greenland is for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide, and no one else,” von der Leyen said.
The EU-Greenland declaration was signed in Nuuk by von der Leyen, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
This investment package will be provided to the Government of Greenland for the purpose of strengthening administrative capacity and a planned program to promote sustainable tourism and housing construction.
Von der Leyen said the EU aims to be “more present and more involved” in the region. Brussels has proposed doubling EU direct aid to Greenland to 530 million euros ($616 million) under the EU’s next budget for 2028-2034.
Her visit coincided with the start of NATO’s Arctic Shield military exercise, which brought together soldiers from 11 alliance members. The exercise will involve approximately 400 NATO military personnel in Greenland and will run from September 7th to 18th.
“Even during these difficult times, your continued support for us continues,” Nielsen said. “You have supported us and will continue to support us. We feel it and we are deeply grateful.”
“Greenland needs the European Union and the European Union needs Greenland,” he added.
In January, eight European countries, including Denmark, sent a small group of military personnel to Greenland for public military exercises to show support for the island’s sovereignty and strengthen Arctic security.
President Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on countries including Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom in response to public military displays. The US president backed out in February after NATO agreed to expand military operations in the Arctic.
At the height of the crisis, President Trump did not rule out the possibility of occupying the territory of 57,000 people by force, sowing anxiety within the European Union and NATO.
