According to The Telegraph, London has begun negotiations with European allies about deploying units in Greenland to safeguard the Arctic due to Trump's concerns about the possible seizure of the island by Russia or China.
According to The Telegraph, the UK authorities are negotiating with European allies about the possible deployment of military forces in Greenland to safeguard the Arctic amid statements from US President Donald Trump about the danger of the island being seized by Russia or China. The military command is developing plans for a potential NATO mission on the Danish island, which Trump seeks to establish control over, the British newspaper reported on Saturday, January 10, citing sources in the government.
To prepare for such a mission, British officials have met with their counterparts from Germany and France in recent days, it further states. The plans are still in the early stages of development and may include sending soldiers, warships, and aircraft to protect Greenland from Russia and China.
Europeans hope for Trump's abandonment of Greenland seizure
At the same time, Europeans hope that a significant increase in their presence in the Arctic will convince Trump to abandon plans to annex the strategically important island, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. This would allow him to claim victory to American taxpayers and assert that Europe has covered most of the security costs for the region.
According to sources speaking to The Telegraph, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed on the necessity of measures to protect the Arctic. "We share President Trump's view - it is necessary to deter Russia's growing aggression in the Far North and strengthen Euro-Atlantic security," one of them noted.
Trump threatens to seize Greenland again
The day before, Trump once again threatened to use force to seize Greenland. "Regarding Greenland, we will do something, whether they like it or not," he stated at the White House. Trump referred to US national security interests and claimed that there are too many Russian and Chinese ships around Greenland. "We will not allow Russia or China to occupy Greenland," he emphasized. He expressed confidence that Russians or Chinese would seize Greenland if Americans did not.
The White House is already preparing a draft agreement on free association, which Donald Trump will propose to the authorities of Greenland, bypassing official Copenhagen. Under such an agreement, US armed forces could gain full freedom of action on the island in exchange for duty-free trade. The publication Politico, citing experts and sources in Washington, reported that the US intends to establish control over Greenland by the end of 2026.
Denmark and Europeans criticize Trump's plans
Danish authorities deem the pressure on Greenland unacceptable and emphasize that the Arctic region "wants to determine its future without interference from other countries." Leaders of political parties in Greenland, in a joint statement on January 9, called for allowing the island's residents to determine their own future.
In turn, leaders of seven European countries expressed support for the island. "Greenland belongs to its people. Only Denmark and Greenland have the right to decide issues concerning Denmark and Greenland," stated Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and leaders from several other EU countries. Additionally, the European Union is developing a response scenario to Trump regarding Greenland.
