MOSCOW: Russia has expressed serious concern over the arrival of NATO forces in Greenland, a strategic Arctic island that US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said Washington needs to take control of for security reasons.
The Russian embassy in Belgium, where NATO is headquartered, said late on Wednesday that the situation in the Arctic was “of serious concern”, accusing the alliance of increasing its military presence under what it called a false pretext of threats from Moscow and Beijing.
“NATO is building up its military presence there under the false pretext of a growing threat from Russia and China,” the embassy said in a statement.
The Russian reaction followed announcements by France, Germany, Sweden and Norway that they would deploy military personnel to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, as part of a reconnaissance mission.
NATO troops arrive
Greenland’s deputy prime minister, Mute Egede, said NATO soldiers were expected to become more visible on the island in the coming days.
“There will be more military flights and ships,” he told a news conference on Wednesday, adding that the activities would involve training.
Germany’s defence ministry said on Thursday that the joint mission aims to explore options for ensuring security in the Arctic, citing what it described as growing Russian and Chinese activity in the region.
The ministry said a 13-member Bundeswehr team would help assess conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark’s role in regional security.
The German unit was due to fly to Denmark’s Karup air base on Thursday, before travelling to Greenland on Friday aboard a Danish civilian aircraft.
“This joint flight is a strong sign of our unity,” the ministry said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the first French military personnel were already on their way, with more to follow.
US ambitions fuel tension
The deployments come amid renewed tension over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark that Trump has repeatedly said the United States needs to seize to ensure its security.
Trump argues that if Washington does not take control of Greenland, “China or Russia will”. His remarks have alarmed Denmark and Greenland and have added strain within NATO.
A high-level meeting in Washington on Wednesday between US, Danish and Greenlandic officials failed to resolve what Denmark described as a fundamental disagreement.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday that a working group would be set up to discuss Arctic security but stressed that the core dispute remained.
“This does not change the fact that there is a fundamental disagreement, because the American ambition to take over Greenland remains intact,” Frederiksen said.
She added that Denmark would continue efforts to prevent such a scenario.
Mixed signals from Washington
After the meeting, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said a US takeover of Greenland was “absolutely not necessary”.
He said there were no Chinese warships off Greenland’s coast and no massive Chinese investments on the island.
Trump, who did not attend the meeting, later struck a more conciliatory tone, saying he had a “very good relationship” with Denmark, while again refusing to rule out any options.
“I think something will work out,” he said, without providing details.
Russia and NATO have both increased their military presence in the Arctic in recent years, as melting sea ice opens new shipping routes and access to mineral resources.
Moscow has accused NATO of exploiting the situation to expand its footprint in the region.
The Russian embassy warned that internal disputes within the alliance over Greenland were making decision-making “increasingly unpredictable”.
On the streets of Nuuk, Greenlandic flags were seen flying in shop windows, on balconies and on vehicles, reflecting a show of unity as global attention focused on the island.
Some residents expressed anxiety at being caught in the middle of great power rivalry.
“It’s very frightening because it’s such a big thing,” said Vera Stidsen, a 51-year-old teacher in Nuuk. “I hope we can continue to live in peace and without being disturbed.”
