Denmark is beefing up its military presence on the island in response to rising tensions, with additional troops, including top military officials, heading to Greenland. Part of these measures is also the military exercise Arctic Endurance, in which several European allies participated.
At the same time, the United States and Canada announced that North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) aircraft will soon arrive at the Pituffik base in Greenland. Together with aircraft operating from continental bases in the US and Canada, they will support various long-term planned NORAD activities that build on the long-standing defense cooperation between the United States, Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark. The announcement of the deployment of the planes comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and its allies following repeated statements by US President Donald Trump that he is seeking to reclaim Greenland.
Residents are preparing for the worst
There is uncertainty in the capital, Nuuk, although panic has not yet broken out. Many residents are stockpiling food, water and fuel, while others are planning escape routes in the event of a crisis. Ulrikke Andersen, who has lived in Nuuk for four decades, admits that she takes the possibility of conflict seriously: “I feel that it could happen, and you immediately start imagining what you would do. When I’m out for a walk, when I’m walking my dog, I imagine what these streets would look like. I’ve lived here peacefully for 40 years,” she told AFP.
In case of a sudden invasion, she would try to escape by boat to a cabin in the fjord, but she knows that her parents would not be able to handle such a journey: “They understand, it would be too difficult for them,” continues Ulrikke. In Inuit culture, survival is the highest value. However, some residents declare that they will stay and help their community: “I will not leave, I will try to help my country as long as I can. It may be tempting to leave, but there are so few of us that we need each other,” a resident of the capital told AFP.
The island, which is 81 percent covered in ice, has no road connection. The 20,000 inhabitants of Nuuk can only get out of the capital by plane or by sea if necessary.
Greenlandic authorities have not issued any instructions on how to prepare for a possible crisis. Perhaps because the population is used to extreme situations in the high north, perhaps so as not to unnecessarily cause panic.
Political reactions and attitudes of Greenlandic and Danish representatives
The Greenland government is responding to pressure from the United States by strongly rejecting any threats or coercion. Prime Minister Jens-Fredrik Nielsen emphasizes that the island remains faithful to the principles of dialogue, respect and international law. As he reminds, Greenland is a democratic society that has the right to decide on its future. At the same time, he thanked the countries that support Greenland and emphasized that it is a democratic society with the right to decide its own future.
Draft NATO monitoring mission and allies’ responses
Danish Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen submitted to the NATO Secretary General a proposal to create a monitoring mission of the alliance in Greenland. Poulsen said after the meeting: “We proposed it, the secretary general took note of it, and I think now we can – hopefully – define the framework of how it can be made concrete,” Poulsen explained to Danish television.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of the Arctic for the alliance’s collective security and the need for further cooperation: “We will continue to work together, as allies, on these important issues,” Rutte wrote.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas responded to threats of tariffs and the issue of Greenland’s sovereignty by saying: “We are not interested in confrontation, but we will remain steadfast. Europe has a range of tools at its disposal to protect its interests,” added Kallas.
Historical and geopolitical background of the Greenland crisis
Greenland was a Danish colony until the mid-20th century, and in 1979 it gained autonomy with its own parliament, with Denmark retaining control over foreign policy, defense and currency. Since 2009, the island has the right to decide on full independence through a referendum. Greenland’s strategic location in the Arctic increases its importance in the context of global security interests, which is reflected in the current geopolitical disputes and military activities in the region.
