The British government is in talks with its European partners about possibly sending military forces to Greenland to strengthen security in the Arctic region, according to The Sunday Telegraph, citing sources in government circles.
The UK military leadership is developing a concept for a NATO mission on the Danish island. In recent days, British officials have held consultations with representatives from Germany and France to discuss the initial stages of a possible troop deployment.
According to available information, the initiative envisages several possible options: from a full-scale deployment of military units to short-term exercises combined with the exchange of intelligence data and the reallocation of defense spending in favor of the Arctic region.
European allies hope that strengthening NATO’s military presence in Greenland will influence the position of US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his intention to establish control over the island. According to European diplomats, such a move would allow the American leader to present the situation as a success, since it is European countries that will bear the costs of ensuring security in this strategically important area of the Atlantic.
Sources in the British government confirm that Prime Minister Keir Starmer takes Arctic security issues seriously and supports the need for active measures to deter potential threats.
A government spokesperson said: “NATO talks on strengthening security in the region are ongoing. The UK is working with NATO allies on efforts to ensure deterrence and defense in the Arctic.”
The issue of possible troop deployment was discussed on January 8 at a meeting of NATO allies in Brussels. As a result, NATO’s Joint Forces Command in Europe was tasked with identifying possible ways to enhance security in the Arctic region.
Any operation would likely be conducted under the NATO banner and would be separate from the alliance’s existing missions in the Baltics and Poland.
The Danish authorities emphasize that external pressure on Greenland is unacceptable. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the forceful annexation of the island would mean the end of NATO. Leaders of European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain, have expressed their support for the position of Denmark and Greenland.