France and Germany said on Wednesday that they would deploy troops to Greenland alongside other European countries, as US President Donald Trump escalated threats to take control of the Arctic island.
Germany’s Defence Ministry said a 13-member Bundeswehr reconnaissance team will be sent to the Greenlandic capital Nuuk on Thursday at Denmark’s invitation.
According to Berlin, the mission is intended to “explore the framework conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region”.
France, the European Union’s only nuclear power, also confirmed it would send troops to Greenland following a high-level meeting in Washington involving US, Danish, and Greenlandic officials.
Trump has repeatedly said he wants to take control of the autonomous Danish territory, arguing that Greenland is critical to US national security.
After meetings in Washington with senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said it was “clear that the president has this wish of conquering Greenland,” adding that such a move was absolutely not necessary.
Sweden and Norway have also announced it will participate in the European military mission.