Greenland standoff: White House says European troops 'won't impact' Trump's 'decision'; reiterates 'acquisition goal'

The White House on Thursday said that the deployment of European troops to Greenland will not affect President Donald Trump’s plans to take control of the Arctic island from Denmark. “I don't think troops in Europe impact the president's decision-making process, nor does it impact his goal of the acquisition of Greenland at all,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing when asked about the European military presence. Her comments came as European Nato countries began deploying military personnel to the strategic Arctic territory, prompting a sharp response from Russia. The move follows a high-level meeting in Washington between US, Danish and Greenlandic officials that failed to bridge what Denmark described as a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory Trump has repeatedly said the US needs to seize for security reasons. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday that a “working group” would be established to discuss strengthening Arctic security, but stressed that the initiative would not resolve the underlying dispute. “The American ambition to take over Greenland remains intact,” Frederiksen said, calling the situation “a serious matter” and adding that Denmark would continue efforts to prevent such a scenario, according to AFP.

The remarks came as France, Germany, Sweden and Norway announced the deployment of military personnel to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, as part of a reconnaissance mission. Greenland’s deputy prime minister, Mute Egede, said Nato forces would have a greater presence on the island in the coming days, with increased military flights and naval activity, adding that the troops would be “training”, AFP reported. Germany’s defence ministry said the mission was intended to examine ways to ensure Arctic security in response to “Russian and Chinese threats”.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the first French military personnel were already en route. Russia reacted strongly to the deployments, with its embassy in Belgium saying the expanding NATO presence in Greenland was “of serious concern” and accusing the alliance of building up forces under a “false pretext” of threats from Moscow and Beijing. Trump has argued that if the United States does not take control of Greenland, “China or Russia will”, remarks that have heightened tensions within Nato and raised concerns among Greenland’s residents about becoming caught in a broader geopolitical confrontation.