Moscow criticises sending NATO troops to Greenland

Russia has criticised NATO’s decision to deploy troops to Greenland, warning that the move risks militarising the Arctic and undermining regional stability.

In a statement issued in Brussels, where NATO is headquartered, the Russian Embassy said the deployment of forces from Germany and other alliance members to the Arctic island “raises serious concerns, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Moscow accused NATO of expanding its military presence in the region under what it described as a “false pretext” of threats from Russia and China.

According to the embassy, the alliance is using recent statements by the United States regarding Greenland to advance what it called an “anti-Russian and anti-Chinese agenda.” Russian diplomats reiterated that the Arctic should remain a “zone of peace, dialogue and honest cooperation,” rather than becoming an arena for military confrontation.

The criticism comes as Denmark steps up its military activity in and around Greenland as part of expanded NATO exercises. Denmark’s defence ministry said on January 14 that the measures were linked to growing security concerns, coinciding with renewed rhetoric from US President Donald Trump about acquiring the strategically located island.

As part of the exercises, Danish and French special forces and reconnaissance units reportedly landed overnight in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, while another aircraft arrived in the western part of the territory. 

Additional NATO troops from the Netherlands, Canada, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Norway are expected to arrive on the island.

By Sabina Mammadli