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Europe moves to protect Greenland as Trump escalates takeover threat
Europe scrambles as Greenland returns to the centre of global tension
The icy silence of the Arctic has been shattered once again. Greenland, the vast self-governing territory belonging to Denmark, has found itself back in the geopolitical spotlight after US President Donald Trump doubled down on claims that Washington should control the island.
This time, Europe is not brushing it off as political theatre.
Over the weekend, reports confirmed that the UK and Germany have begun quietly drawing up plans aimed at preventing any unilateral US move on Greenland. The concern is not theoretical. Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland’s location is critical to American security and to countering Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. His language has grown sharper, even warning that the US would acquire the territory whether Greenlanders agreed or not.
Why Greenland matters more than ever
To understand the reaction from Europe, you have to understand what Greenland represents. Sitting between North America and Europe, the island controls key Arctic sea routes and hosts long-established US military infrastructure. As melting ice opens new shipping lanes and access to minerals, its value has only increased.
For Denmark, and for NATO, Greenland is not a bargaining chip. It is part of the alliance’s northern defence line.
That is why European leaders have rallied so quickly behind Copenhagen.
The NATO plan taking shape behind closed doors
According to officials familiar with the discussions, Berlin is pushing for a joint NATO mission in the region, informally dubbed Arctic Sentry. The idea is simple but politically loaded. Increase NATO visibility in Greenland and the wider Arctic to remove any justification for a US takeover framed as a security necessity.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is expected to raise the issue directly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, signalling that Europe wants this settled inside the alliance, not through threats.
London is also playing an active role. British officials have reportedly held meetings with counterparts from Germany and France to explore options ranging from joint military exercises and intelligence sharing to increased defence spending and even troop deployments on Greenland itself. For now, the planning is cautious and early stage, but the message is clear.
Europe is preparing.
Trump’s words spark alarm across Europe
The sense of urgency intensified after Trump publicly stated that the US would take Greenland if necessary, “the hard way.” While there has been speculation about purchasing the island or offering residents financial incentives, the refusal to rule out force sent shockwaves through European capitals.
On social media, reactions have been swift. Danish commentators have called the remarks reckless, while European analysts warn that any attack on a fellow NATO member would fundamentally break the alliance.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was blunt in her response, warning that a military assault between allies would make NATO meaningless.
A test of NATO unity in a changing world
Beyond the headlines, this moment exposes a deeper issue. NATO is facing pressure from within at the same time as global power competition intensifies. The Arctic, once a frozen afterthought, is now a frontline.
For the UK and Germany, stepping forward is about more than Greenland. It is about proving that collective defence still means something, even when the pressure comes from the alliance’s most powerful member.
For Greenlanders, many of whom value their autonomy and cultural identity, the renewed attention is unsettling. Their land is not just a strategic asset. It is home.
As the Arctic thaws and tensions rise, what happens next in Greenland may shape the future of NATO itself.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Pew Research Center
