Seven European countries (including France, Germany and the UK) sent military personnel to Greenland. White House: This won't affect Trump

Seven European countries have sent troops to Greenland as part of a reconnaissance mission aimed at bolstering security in the region.

According to Reuters, France sent the most military personnel - 15 specialists. Germany sent 13 people to Greenland. Sweden sent three officers, Finland and Norway two each, and Great Britain and the Netherlands one each.

The first military personnel arrived in Nuuk on a Danish Air Force plane on January 14. The next day, Germany sent its military, which had previously announced that its mission would last three days, from January 15 to 17, writes BBC News. It is unclear how long the rest of the military will stay in Greenland.

European countries have sent troops to Greenland to help Denmark, which includes the island, prepare for major military exercises at the end of 2026.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told reporters he did not know how much NATO's presence in Greenland would expand. “But it is clear that we will now be able to plan for a larger and more permanent presence throughout 2026, and this is vital to show that Arctic security is important not only for Denmark, but for the whole of NATO,” he said.

White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt said on January 15 that sending European troops to Greenland would not affect US President Donald Trump's push to make the territory American. "I don't think the presence of European troops will affect the president's decision-making process - and his goal of getting Greenland," she said.

• European countries announced the sending of their military to Greenland against the backdrop of negotiations between representatives of the United States on the one hand and Denmark and Greenland on the other, which took place in Washington on January 14. The White House said after the talks that the meeting was productive. Danish authorities said they could not convince Trump to abandon his plans to get Greenland.
• Donald Trump has repeatedly said that Greenland is important for the national security of the United States and European countries. He believes that the island could be captured by Russia or China.
• The White House previously said that Trump was considering various options to gain control of Greenland, including the use of military forces.