Arctic tensions rise: Germany, France deploy small military contingents amid US pressure on Greenland

A transport aircraft of the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, departed for the Danish military base at Karup, where officers from several countries are assembling ahead of a joint flight to Greenland scheduled for Friday, German News Service reported.

According to the report, Germany’s Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that 13 soldiers would be deployed as part of a “reconnaissance” mission to assess the conditions for potential military contributions aimed at supporting Denmark in maintaining security in the region.

A small French military contingent has also arrived in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, officials told the BBC, as several European nations move forward with limited deployments under a coordinated reconnaissance effort.

The mission involves personnel from Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the initial French deployment would soon be reinforced with additional “land, air, and sea assets,” according to the BBC.

Greenland rejects US overtures

Greenland has firmly rejected any possibility of joining the United States, sending a strong political signal to Washington amid repeated annexation remarks by US President Donald Trump.

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said the Arctic territory would stand with Denmark if forced to choose, effectively placing independence ambitions on hold for the time being.

Speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, Nielsen said the current geopolitical situation leaves little room for neutrality.

“We are in the middle of a serious geopolitical crisis,” Nielsen said. “If we must choose between the United States and Denmark, then we choose Denmark. We choose the Greenland we know today as part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”

Strategic stakes in the Arctic

Greenland’s vast landmass and proximity to key Arctic routes make it strategically vital for major global powers. The island plays an increasingly important role in military surveillance, missile defence, and emerging shipping lanes created by melting polar ice.

Trump’s renewed push to assert control over Greenland has raised alarm among NATO allies and prompted concerns about Washington’s commitment to international norms and alliance cohesion.

For now, Greenland’s leadership appears determined to resist US pressure, opting for stability within the Danish kingdom over uncertainty tied to Washington — a stance that could significantly reshape Arctic geopolitics in the months ahead.