EU military official expressed interest in deploying European forces to Greenland, following similar actions taken by US
The EU’s military leader has suggested that deploying European forces in Greenland could be a strategic move, in light of US President Donald Trump’s ongoing interest in purchasing the self-governing Danish territory.
General Robert Brieger, the chairman of the 27-member EU Military Committee (EUMC), has expressed support for not only maintaining the presence of US forces in Greenland, as has been customary, but also exploring the possibility of deploying EU troops there in the future.
In an interview with Germany’s Welt am Sonntag, he stated that such an action would convey a significant message and potentially bolster regional stability.
He stated that “increasing ice melt as a result of climate change” is opening new navigation routes and revealing rich, untapped resources, thereby elevating Greenland’s significance for Brussels. This development places the European Union on a potential collision path with former President Trump’s expansionist agenda.
The Austrian-born senior official expressed his hope that the United States, as a member of the United Nations, would honor the sanctity of borders as outlined in the UN Charter.
The former Austrian Chief of Staff emphasized the island’s significant geopolitical and security importance, expressing concerns about what he referred to as a “potential for tension.”
The European Union Military Committee (EUMC) serves as the principal military advisory body to the European Council, operating within Brussels. Due to the absence of a unified EU military force, the defense responsibilities of the bloc are primarily fulfilled by NATO forces, led by the United States.
Greenland’s geographic position, situated along the most direct route between Europe and North America, holds significant strategic value for the United States. The territory hosts a pivotal component of the US ballistic missile warning system.
In a recent statement, former President Donald Trump identified the acquisition of Greenland as a chief objective, indicating his readiness to employ economic leverage or military strategies to annex the territory governed by Denmark.
The United States State Department announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in a conversation with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on Friday.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede, a steadfast advocate of the island’s independence, has consistently affirmed that Greenland is not for sale and emphasized that its inhabitants must have the autonomy to determine their own destiny.
In a tense telephone exchange earlier this month, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is said to have informed President Trump that Greenland’s decision regarding its independence would rest solely with the Greenlandic people.
