EU pushes for troops in Greenland amid US presence
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EU military chief proposes stationing European troops in Greenland amid US expansionist interests and growing geopolitical tensions.
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General Robert Brieger, chairman of the EU Military Committee (EUMC) in Luxembourg upon the invitation of General Steve Thull, Chief of Defense of the Grand Duchy on November 22, 2024 (@ChairmanEUMC / X)
The EU's military chief has suggested that it would be logical to station European troops in Greenland, following US President Donald Trump's repeated suggestions to acquire the autonomous Danish territory.
General Robert Brieger, chairman of the EU Military Committee (EUMC), stated, "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."
He added that such a move would send a strong signal and potentially contribute to regional stability.
Brieger highlighted the increasing significance of Greenland due to the "increasing ice melt as a result of climate change," which is opening new navigation routes, alongside its rich untapped resources. This growing importance could put the EU on a collision course with Trump's expansionist policies.
The Austrian-born general also expressed his hope that the US, as a member of the United Nations, would respect the inviolability of borders, as outlined in the UN Charter. "The island is of great importance from a geopolitical point of view and is also highly relevant from a security policy perspective," he remarked, noting the potential for tension.
Driving the news
As the EU does not have a dedicated army, NATO troops, led by the US, play a central role in its defense. Greenland's strategic location between Europe and North America makes it vital for US security, with its ballistic missile warning system stationed on the island.
Trump has made acquiring Greenland a priority, suggesting he would use economic or military means to annex the Danish territory. The US State Department confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Friday.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, who supports the island's independence, has firmly stated that Greenland is not for sale and that its people must determine their own future. In a recent tense phone call, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Trump that Greenland would decide for itself whether to pursue independence.
In a related development, US President Donald Trump has renewed his push to acquire Greenland, reportedly pressing the idea in a tense phone call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
According to the Financial Times, the 45-minute conversation last week before his inauguration was described by European officials as "horrendous" and "a cold shower."
Despite Frederiksen's reiteration that Greenland is not for sale, Trump maintained a confrontational tone and responded firmly, particularly after Denmark offered to discuss expanded military cooperation instead.
One official remarked that the conversation left the Danish side "utterly freaked out," especially when threats of targeted tariffs were mentioned. Initially, European officials had viewed Trump's comments about acquiring Greenland as a bargaining chip to exert more influence in the Arctic, but the call dispelled those assumptions.
US Interest
On the eve of his inauguration, Donald Trump repeatedly asserted that Greenland should become part of the United States, emphasizing the island's strategic importance for national security and the defense of the "free world" against threats from China and Russia.
At the same time, the incoming president declined to rule out the use of military force to assert control over the territory.
Until 1953, Greenland was a colony of Denmark and continues to be part of the kingdom. In 2009, the island gained autonomy, allowing it to make independent decisions in its internal politics.
