Denmark deploys additional troops to Greenland amid Trump’s threats, tensions escalate

Jan 20, 2026
International

Photo: Royal Danish Navy warship HDMS Niels Rasmussen anchored at Nuuk port, Greenland, on January 17, 2026. (Collected. Al Jazeera. Evgeny Maloletka/AP)

International Desk, PNN

In response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s military threats regarding Greenland, Denmark has deployed additional troops to the semi-autonomous Arctic territory. On Monday evening, under the leadership of the Danish Chief of Defense, Peter Boyesen, a significant number of troops reached Kangarlussuaq in western Greenland.

According to Danish media, an additional 58 Danish soldiers landed there, joining nearly 60 troops previously sent to participate in the multinational military exercise "Operation Arctic Endurance." However, the Danish Ministry of Defense has not made any official comment on this deployment.

Just a few hours before this troop deployment, Donald Trump, in an interview, denied the possibility of using military force to seize Greenland. When asked about it on a U.S. television channel, he refused to give a direct answer, stating, "No comment on this matter."

Trump has long emphasized the “critical importance” of Greenland to U.S. security and has repeatedly expressed his desire for the island to come under U.S. control. In a recent message to Norway’s Prime Minister, he hinted that not winning the Nobel Peace Prize no longer restricts him to thinking only about peace—raising new concerns across Europe.

Denmark, however, has made it clear that the sale of Greenland is not even a consideration. They are, however, open to diplomatic discussions regarding increasing U.S. military presence there. Copenhagen has warned that any attempt to seize Greenland by force would endanger NATO’s future.

In this context, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte held talks with top officials from Denmark and Greenland. The meeting focused on strengthening security in the Arctic region and possible joint NATO missions in Greenland. Rutte stated that the Arctic region is extremely important for the security of the entire alliance.

Meanwhile, Trump’s potential threat of imposing tariffs has also added pressure to Europe-U.S. trade relations. The European Union has called for an emergency meeting and hinted that strict trade measures against the U.S. could be implemented if necessary. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that safeguarding the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland is essential for the EU. However, cooperation with the U.S. and NATO on security issues will continue.

A survey conducted last year indicated that 85% of Greenland’s population does not want to join the United States, while only 6% expressed interest.