Germany Denmark's NATO allies launch mission in Greenland
After unsuccessful talks in Washington to settle the Greenland conflict, several of Denmark's NATO allies are sending soldiers to the Arctic island.
15.01.2026, 15:14
SDA
Crisis talks between the USA, Denmark and Greenland on Wednesday failed to resolve the conflict over the USA's ownership claims to the island.
"The aim is to explore the possibilities of ensuring security in view of Russian and Chinese threats in the Arctic," Germany's Ministry of Defense announced. This is taking place at the invitation and under the leadership of alliance partner Denmark. "The aim is to gain a well-founded picture on the ground for further discussions and planning within NATO."
The largely autonomous Greenland is part of the territory of Denmark, a NATO member. However, US President Donald Trump wants to incorporate the huge resource-rich island into the USA. He justifies his demands with the security of the region and the US population, which he sees as being threatened by China and Russia. The Europeans want to convince him that Greenland can best be protected within the framework of NATO.
Several nations are involved in the exploration
The Danish-led exploration is not a NATO mission, but the countries involved are members of the defense alliance. The Ministry of Defense has announced 13 soldiers for Germany. Norway is sending two people, Sweden "several officers" and the UK one officer.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated: "A first group of French soldiers is already on the ground and will be reinforced by land, air and naval forces in the coming days." During the night on Platform X, he spoke of "joint exercises" that Denmark had organized. They were going under the name "Operation Arctic Endurance".
Spain's Defense Minister Margarita Robles did not rule out Spanish participation, but urged caution. An annexation of Greenland by the USA would be extremely worrying, she said, "but we will be prudent in our decisions", said Robles. "I firmly believe that annexation is unacceptable and extremely serious. But I don't think we are in that situation."
Pistorius emphasizes close coordination, especially with the USA
On the departure of the German contingent, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius pointed out that Russia and China were increasingly using the Arctic for military purposes, thereby calling into question the freedom of transport, communication and trade routes. "NATO will not allow this and will continue to stand up for the rules-based international order." For him, it is crucial "that we coordinate very well within NATO, especially with our US partners, in the joint exploration in Greenland under Danish leadership".
No agreement at Greenland negotiations in Washington
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in Washington after the meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance that there was still a "fundamental difference of opinion" between the parties. Vivian Motzfeldt, the minister responsible for Greenland's foreign policy, also took part in the meeting.
Trump had already made it clear before the one-hour meeting in a US government building near the White House that he would not deviate one millimeter from his goal. Anything other than a Greenland in the hands of the United States would be "unacceptable", Trump wrote on his internet platform Truth Social.
German Armed Forces have new long-range reconnaissance aircraft to monitor the seas
If NATO wants to expand surveillance of the waters around Greenland, the German navy could participate with its new long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, for example. The first P-8A "Poseidon" aircraft was only recently put into service. The aircraft enables the crew to monitor large sea areas, track ship movements and locate submarines using radar as well as acoustic and optical systems.
