Denmark announces a reinforcement of its military presence in Greenland hours before the meeting with the US

The Government of Denmark announced this Wednesday that its Armed Forces will expand its presence in Greenland within the framework of the increase in tensions with the United States over its intentions to annex the Danish autonomous territory, shortly before a delegation from the European country meets at the White House with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to address Washington’s plans on the island.

“Geopolitical tensions have spread in the Arctic. Therefore, the Government of Greenland and the Danish Ministry of Defense have decided to continue the intensification of the Danish Army’s activities in Greenland, in close cooperation with NATO allies,” the Danish Ministry of Defense said in a joint statement with the Greenland Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Denmark explains that, “starting today,” it will “expand the military presence in and around Greenland,” in cooperation with its allies, with the stated goal of “training the ability to operate in the unique conditions of the Arctic.” The idea is to “strengthen the presence” of the Atlantic Alliance in the area, “for the benefit of European and transatlantic security.”

This measure “will translate in the near future” into “a military presence composed of aircraft, ships and soldiers, including those of NATO allies,” said the Danish Ministry of Defense. “Activities in 2026 could include the protection of critical infrastructure, assistance to local authorities, including the Police, the reception of allied troops, the deployment of combat aircraft, and naval operations,” they have specified.

The Foreign Minister of Greenland, Vivian Motzfeld, has stressed that, as part of NATO “it is a fundamental priority” for her Government to “strengthen the defense and security” of the island. Thus, he assured that he is collaborating “closely” with Copenhagen “to promote initiatives and promote cooperation.”

“Once the exercises begin, the Greenlandic population will be kept continuously informed about the activities through the platforms of the Joint Arctic Command,” concluded the minister of the Arctic territory, which has autonomy but is under Danish jurisdiction.

For his part, the head of Defense of Denmark, Troels Lund Poulsen, has emphasized that “security in the Arctic is crucial for the Kingdom of Denmark” and its allies. “It is essential that, in close collaboration with them, we further strengthen our ability to operate in the region,” he said.

“We did this in 2025 and, as a natural consequence of these efforts, we will continue and expand cooperation in 2026. The Danish Armed Forces, together with several Arctic and European allies, will explore in the coming weeks how to practically implement increased presence and exercise activity,” he claimed.

It is worth mentioning that in mid-2025, Denmark reinforced its presence and exercises in Greenland with “various initiatives and capabilities”, both maritime, land and air, which included contributions from allies such as Germany, France, Sweden or Norway.

MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE

This announcement comes hours before a Danish delegation, which Motzfeld will also attend, meets at the White House with the Secretary of State and the American Vice President.

The objective of the meeting is to be able to address “face to face” the American intentions to take control of the Arctic island, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, while the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, advocated that Denmark and Greenland maintain unity in their rejection of the American annexation.