The European Union’s top general has said that the bloc should deploy troops to Greenland to send a ‘strong signal’ – amid suggestions from Donald Trump that the United States could seize the territory.
General Robert Brieger, the chairman of the European Union Military Committee, said it would make sense to station troops from EU countries in Greenland, according to an interview with Germany’s Welt am Sonntag.
‘In my view, it would make perfect sense not only to station US forces in Greenland, as has been the case to date, but also to consider stationing EU soldiers there in the future,’ the Austrian official said.
‘That would send a strong signal and could contribute to stability in the region,’ he added.
Washington already has 200 troops stationed at the Pituffick Space Base – part of a missile early warning system and satellite surveillance hub on the north of the island.
The EU military committee is the highest military office of the European Council, but it serves solely as a consultative body and has no dedicated army of its own to conduct missions.
Ultimately, such a step would require a political decision, he said, as deploying troops would require sign-off from national governments. US-led NATO is the bloc’s main military alliance.
Although Greenland is not part of the EU as an overseas territory of Denmark, Europe, as well as the US, both have interests in it, the general added, citing its raw materials and strategic location.
General Robert Brieger, the chairman of the European Union Military Committee, said it would make sense to station troops from EU countries in Greenland
Trump has expressed an interest in making Greenland part of the US. He has not ruled out using military or economic power to persuade Denmark to hand it over
Copenhagen has declared that it will increase security around the territory following Trump’s claims. General view shows Nuuk City
‘However, with increasing ice melt as a result of climate change, this also creates a certain potential for tension with Russia and possibly China,’ he said.
The disappearing ice caps are creating some of the world’s shortest shipping routes between the Pacific and Atlantic, adding to the region’s strategic and economic importance.
The island also has a large supply of valuable rare earth minerals, including uranium.
Trump has expressed an interest in making Greenland part of the US. He has not ruled out using military or economic power to persuade Denmark to hand it over.
Copenhagen has declared that it will increase security around the territory following Trump’s claims.
Speaking on Air Force One over the weekend, the president told reporters: ‘I don’t really know what claim Denmark has to it, but it would be a very unfriendly act if they didn’t allow that to happen because it’s for the protection of the free world. It’s not for us, it’s for the free world.
‘Right now, you have Russian ships, you have Chinese ships, you have ships from various countries. It’s not a good situation.’
Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Republican lawmakers are largely in lockstep with Trump’s Greenland plans
He added: ‘I think Greenland will be worked out with us. I think we’re going to have it. I think the people want to be with us.’
Greenland’s strategic location along the shortest route from Europe to North America, vital for the US ballistic missile warning system, has also made it a priority for Trump.
Brieger said he hoped that the US as a member of the United Nations would respect the inviolability of borders as stipulated in the UN Charter.
While geographically it is part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically linked with Europe – in particular Norway and Denmark – since the 9th Century. It has been inhabited by the Inuit people for around 800 years.
It was colonised in 1721 with the permission of the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway and remained a colony of Denmark until 1953. It is now an autonomous territory of Denmark.
The Danish government has control of Greenland’s foreign and economic policy, but the territory left the EU in 1985 following a referendum.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
