Serious differences have emerged between America, Denmark and Greenland regarding the future of Greenland. Amidst this tension, soldiers from many European countries have arrived in Greenland in support of Denmark. The purpose of this is to show European solidarity and send a message to the US that the security of Greenland can be done together by NATO. Recently, the White House described the talks with Danish and Greenlandic officials as “technical talks related to the acquisition of Greenland”. This statement differed from that of Danish Foreign Minister Lars Loke Rasmussen. Rasmussen said the purpose of the talks was only to find ways to resolve differences, not to agree on any acquisition.
Even before the talks began, Denmark announced that it would increase its military presence in Greenland. After this, European countries like France, Germany, Britain, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands have started sending symbolic numbers of soldiers or have promised to send them soon. Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that the soldiers of many NATO countries will be stationed in Greenland in turn. Its aim is to strengthen security in the Arctic region, where the growing interest of Russia and China remains a cause for concern.
However, the US stands firm. The spokesperson of the White House, Carolyn Levitt, clearly stated that the deployment of European troops will not affect the thinking of President Donald Trump. According to him, Trump believes that the acquisition of Greenland is very important for the national security of the United States. Denmark and Greenland have reiterated that Greenland is not just a strategic asset for them, but a question of their sovereignty and identity. For this reason, the high-level working group that will be formed in the coming weeks can play an important role in this dispute.