Danish troops during a military drill with German and French soldiers in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, in September 2025.
Europe moves to protect Greenland amid US interest
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Germany and the UK push NATO to establish “Polar Guard” mission to secure Arctic region.
- Initiative aims to counter Russian and Chinese influence and respond to Trump’s Greenland ambitions.
Berlin plans to propose a NATO-led initiative called “Polar Guard” to maintain permanent naval and air patrols in the Arctic, according to reports described as reliable by the German news agency DPA. The mission is modeled after the “Baltic Shield” framework and aims to monitor Russian and Chinese activity in the region.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, in coordination with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is leading efforts to convince Washington that Europe can secure its “backyard” without direct US intervention.
German media reported that Berlin and London are promoting a strategy emphasizing Europe’s “hard power capabilities” to counter arguments that the region faces a security vacuum requiring US military action or changes to its sovereignty.
Greenland considered a “red line”
European leaders intend to send a clear message that Greenland is a “red line” and any attempt to alter its legal status would face strong NATO opposition. Bloomberg sources indicated that EU officials are racing to develop a common strategy to demonstrate European and NATO control over the region, aiming to challenge former President Donald Trump’s claims on Greenland, according to Der Spiegel.
Starmer reportedly views reinforcing European military and diplomatic capabilities as a way to persuade Washington of Europe’s strategic value, both for regional security and US interests.
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken called for a NATO mission in the Arctic to address US security concerns and stressed the importance of transatlantic unity amid European worries over Trump’s Greenland ambitions.
German Foreign Minister Johan Wadewol emphasized that if the US is concerned about Russian or Chinese ships and submarines near Greenland, “we can certainly find joint solutions,” adding that the future of Greenland should be decided by its people and Denmark.
The initiative comes after Trump reiterated that the US should take control of Greenland, which enjoys self-governance, citing strategic concerns regarding China and Russia operating near the island, and criticizing Denmark for neglecting its Arctic defense responsibilities.
