General Robert Brieger, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, has proposed that EU forces to Greenland should be deployed. The rationale for this plan is to contribute to global security and stability in the Arctic, as well as conform with the evolving geopolitics of recent years.
General Brieger stressed Greenland’s strategic importance and pointed out its rich and extensive natural resources. He warned that the melting ice is opening new maritime arteries and at the same time making certain materials easier to reach – phenomena that could increase potential flashpoints in the geopolitics of East and West. According to Reuters, an Austrian General of the Austrian Armed Forces and the current Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (CEUMC), Robert Brieger said “I think it would make sense not only to have US forces in Greenland as is the case now but also to consider having EU forces there. That would be a strong signal and could help to stabilize the region.”
This proposal comes as the United States displays a heightened interest in Greenland. President Donald Trump has reiterated his desire for the US to purchase the territory, calling it an “absolute necessity” for national security. In a 45-minute telephone conversation with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen just recently, Trump spoke of his keen interest in buying Greenland. This has met with flat refusal from the Danish and Greenlandic authorities.
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and is strategically very important because of its location and resources. Rich in rare earth minerals, it sits at the gateway between North America and Europe. The growing accessibility of the Arctic has increased its geopolitical importance, attracting global powers of all sizes.
In response to these developments, the Danish government has announced a significant increase in its defense budget for Greenland. The plan calls for new inspection ships, long-range drones, and additional personnel at the Arctic Command in Nuuk capital. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that this increased investment is intended both to strengthen Denmark’s presence in the Arctic region as well as protect its rights amid increasing international attention.
The proposal to send EU troops to Greenland requires the political approval of EU member states and close cooperation with authorities in Denmark and Greenland. General Brieger said he hopes the United States will respect international norms: “I hope the US respects the UN Charter regarding the sovereignty of the territory.”
As the Arctic continues to emerge as a focal point of international affairs, the world watches keenly these developments. The potential move of EU troops to Greenland would be a major break from the region’s security arrangements, a sign of the broader repositioning among global powers we are seeing.
