Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen called on Monday for NATO to do more in the Arctic, announcing that he and Greenlandic Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Motzfeldt aimed to discuss this with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The two ministers are expected in Brussels on Monday for talks at NATO headquarters, as tensions rise between some of the alliance’s European members and the United States.
President Donald Trump has been demanding that the US take control of Greenland, which belongs to Denmark, saying the Arctic island is needed for security reasons. European NATO allies have strongly opposed any move by the United States to annex Greenland.
Lund Poulsen said in a statement that Denmark and Greenland had received “broad support” for the idea that “NATO should do more in the Arctic” after deciding along with certain allies to boost their military presence in the region.
Motzfeldt added: “Greenland finds itself in an unusual situation that is attracting the attention of the entire world. The situation demands that we strengthen cooperation on defence and security issues in the Arctic within NATO.”
On Monday, Danish broadcaster TV2 reported on the basis of Defence Ministry information that Denmark would send more combat troops to Greenland. While the precise number was unknown, it was reported to be a “considerable contribution,” the broadcaster said.
TV2 said the new troops would arrive at Kangerlussuaq, some 300 kilometres to the north of the island’s capital at Nuuk on Monday. Army chief Major General Peter Boysen would accompany the deployment, the report said.
According to the Danish Arctic Command, around 100 Danish troops were despatched to Nuuk last week, along with a similar number to Kangerlussuaq. The soldiers have been tasked with launching the Danish-led Arctic Endurance exercise in which other NATO allies are participating.