21:22 15-01-2026

European NATO Troops Arrive in Greenland Amid US Claims

© North Atlantic Treaty Organization / www.nato.int

European NATO troops have arrived in Greenland under a Danish-led mission as US claims over the island intensify and talks in Washington fail to yield results.

The first group of military personnel from European countries that are members of the North Atlantic Alliance has arrived in Greenland amid renewed claims by the United States over the island, according to Germany’s Bild newspaper.

On the night of January 15, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft landed at a Danish Armed Forces command center near Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. The plane was carrying Danish troops along with French officers and soldiers. Shortly afterward, another Danish aircraft touched down in Kangerlussuak in the western part of the island. Both flights were conducted with identification systems switched off.

According to the report, the first contingent of 13 German servicemen is expected to arrive in Greenland on January 17 as part of a two-day reconnaissance mission. The operation, dubbed «Arctic Endurance», is scheduled to run from January 15 to 17 and was launched at Denmark’s request.

The mission is intended to carry out reconnaissance tasks and assess options for strengthening regional security. Swedish and Norwegian authorities are also planning to deploy their military personnel to the island.

Bild notes that all operational coordination is being handled from Copenhagen rather than through NATO structures, meaning the United States is not involved in the mission.

Preparations for the troop deployment were conducted over the past several days under strict secrecy, particularly in light of recent hardline statements by U. S. President Donald Trump regarding American claims to Greenland. The mission was launched only after talks between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States at the White House failed to produce any results.

During a meeting held on January 14, Copenhagen was unable to persuade Washington to abandon the idea of purchasing Greenland. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lekke Rasmussen later said this after talks with U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J. D. Vance. At the same time, Denmark signaled its readiness to discuss any issues related to the island’s security with the United States.