Media: Trump's Greenland threat prompts NATO talks on military response

NATO members have been quietly discussing the possibility of deploying troops to Greenland following US President Donald Trump’s threats to use military force to seize the Danish island.

According to diplomatic sources cited by The Telegraph, Germany, along with other European allies, reportedly held informal talks about potential NATO responses if Trump follows through on his statements, per Caliber.Az.

The discussions even raised questions about whether NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause could be invoked in the event of a US-led invasion of a fellow NATO member state.

This comes after Trump, in his second term, openly contemplated a forcible takeover of Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark. Trump has stated that it would be an “unfriendly act” if Denmark refused to give up the Arctic island, especially as Russia and China have been seeking to expand their influence in the area.

Germany's involvement in these covert discussions has attracted criticism from some NATO members, particularly those who have criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his reluctance to send troops to Ukraine. One NATO diplomat expressed frustration, saying, "Berlin doesn’t want to send troops to Ukraine because the situation is ‘too ambiguous’ but is openly flying kites about sending NATO troops to Greenland."

Scholz has been a vocal critic of Trump’s stance, emphasizing that “borders must not be moved by force,” a principle he reinforced in an address to “whom it may concern.” In contrast, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged caution in responding to Trump to avoid further inflaming the situation. She has expressed openness to US security concerns over the Arctic and promised to increase Denmark's military presence in Greenland, though she firmly stated that the island is "not for sale."

To bolster security on the island, Denmark has announced plans to invest $1.5 billion, including funding for two new inspection ships, drones, and dog sled patrols. Additionally, an airfield upgrade will facilitate the operation of F-35 fighter jets from Greenland.

France and Germany have publicly considered sending European troops to join US forces already stationed in the Arctic. However, some European leaders are advocating for a more robust response to Trump's demands.

In NATO’s headquarters in Brussels, members have deliberated on the possibility of invoking Article 5 in response to a potential US invasion. However, this option was swiftly ruled out due to the requirement for unanimous support from all 32 NATO members, including the US. NATO’s Article 4, which allows for emergency consultations if a member’s territorial integrity or security is threatened, was considered a more appropriate mechanism for addressing such concerns.

A third possibility under discussion is deploying NATO troops to enhance security in the Arctic, addressing both US concerns and the growing competition in the region. The melting ice caps are opening new shipping routes and access to rare earth materials, both of which Russia and China are eager to control.

Trump’s concerns are particularly tied to the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, which is crucial to US missile warning systems, satellite, and space surveillance.

In an attempt to de-escalate tensions, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte suggested that the alliance could bolster its presence in the Arctic to address Trump's concerns. “It’s absolutely clear that Trump is right when it comes to the high north, that we have to do more,” Rutte said.

By Tamilla Hasanova