According to The Economist, several European countries have begun drafting secret plans for conducting military operations without relying on parts of NATO’s command infrastructure.

The magazine, citing senior officers, reported that European allies were seriously alarmed by statements from US President Donald Trump about a possible seizure of Greenland, which is part of Denmark. Against that backdrop, concerns have grown in Europe that Washington could one day try to obstruct the actions of other alliance members.

The Economist noted that such a scenario is considered unlikely. Even so, several European capitals are treating the risk with real seriousness.

A representative of Sweden’s defence ministry said indirectly that the Greenland crisis had served as a warning signal and convinced officials that Europe needed a backup plan.

The publication added that some European allies are already asking how, and under whose command, the continent would be able to fight if NATO mechanisms became paralysed and the United States blocked the alliance’s work.

According to the magazine’s authors, the discussion concerns the possible creation of an alternative European defence structure, which could include the Nordic countries.