Denmark's Military Preparations in Greenland
Danish soldiers deployed to Greenland in January were reportedly ready to demolish critical airport runways amid concerns that US President Donald Trump might attempt to invade the Arctic territory, according to Denmark's public broadcaster DR.
DR, citing sources within the Danish government, military, and European allies, revealed that blood supplies were also transported to Greenland to treat potential casualties in the event of conflict.
The Financial Times confirmed the report through two European officials. The Danish defence ministry declined to comment to the BBC.
An anonymous senior Danish military official told the BBC that
"only a limited number of people would have been aware of the operation for security reasons".
Context of Greenland's Strategic Importance
Both the United States and Denmark are NATO members. Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, has been a contentious issue between Washington and its European allies.
President Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland during a potential second term, a proposal firmly rejected by Greenland's leadership and Denmark.
Sources and Political Support
DR based its report on information from 12 high-level sources within the Danish government and military, as well as from allies in France and Germany.
These sources indicated that Copenhagen sought political backing from Paris, Berlin, and Nordic countries to counter Trump's ambitions by showcasing European unity and increasing joint military activities in Greenland.
Escalation Following Venezuela Operation
The situation intensified on 3 January when elite US forces conducted a rapid operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.
The following day, Trump stated to reporters that he would
"worry about Greenland in about two months"and reiterated,
"we need Greenland from a national security situation. It's so strategic". He further claimed without evidence that
"Right now Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place."
A senior Danish security source told DR,
"when Trump keeps saying he wants to take over Greenland, and then what happened in Venezuela happened, we had to take all scenarios seriously."
A European official told the Financial Times,
"After Venezuela, they [Americans] thought they could walk on water. Let's take this thing, and this country."
Military Deployments and Exercises
Shortly thereafter, a small contingent of Danish, French, German, Norwegian, and Swedish soldiers was flown to Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, locations that host airports.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the initial forces would be reinforced with
"land, air, and sea assets".
DR reported that a subsequent deployment included elite Danish soldiers and a French unit trained for combat in cold, mountainous environments. Danish aircraft and a French naval vessel were dispatched towards the North Atlantic.
The deployment was officially part of Danish-led joint military exercises named Operation Arctic Endurance. However, DR stated the true purpose was to prepare for a possible US invasion.
Defensive Measures and Strategy
Denmark decided that its soldiers would resist a US invasion and were prepared to destroy runways in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq to prevent US military aircraft from landing, according to DR.
A Danish defence source told the broadcaster,
"The cost to the US would have to be raised. The US would have to carry out a hostile act to get Greenland,"while acknowledging that Danish troops would likely be unable to repel a US attack.
Statements by President Trump
On 21 January, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump, who had previously not ruled out using force to acquire Greenland, stated,
"I don't want to use force. I won't use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland."
Since then, Trump has expressed a desire for
"immediate negotiations"to reach a compromise and ease tensions.
