Danish soldiers sent to Greenland have received orders to be ready for combat in the event of an American attack on this autonomous territory of Denmark, public radio and television DR assured Friday.
According to this media, the Danish army requested last week that the troops sent to Greenland be equipped with live ammunition, raising the possibility of sending additional forces and means later, if necessary.
Civilian and military planes then began transporting soldiers and equipment to Greenland, according to DR.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen declined to comment on the media reports.
Towards a future agreement?
After weeks of aggressive declarations, Donald Trump suddenly announced Wednesday in Davos “the framework of a future agreement” on Greenland, extremely vague, and lifted his customs as well as military threats.
Previously, Trump had not ruled out the use of force, arguing that the United States needed Greenland for its “national security.”
The Danish military deployment was officially part of the Danish-led Arctic Endurance military exercise that Copenhagen said it would continue “for much of the coming year.”
Following American threats, eight European countries sent several dozen soldiers to Greenland. Some have since left, including a group of around 15 Germans and a few Swedes, while others continue to arrive.
DR also reported broad political support, both from the Danish government and the opposition, to engage in combat in the event of a US attack.