Anna Widzyk
Thirteen Bundeswehr soldiers begin on 15 January 2026, an exploratory mission to Greenland at the invitation of Denmark. Berlin presents this as a fast and appropriate political signal, with successive European allies joining in parallel. The background is simply a dispute with the White House: Donald Trump announces taking over the island, justifying US security.
Nuussuaq territory in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, with Mount Sermitsiaq in the background. photograph by wiki, Public Domain
"It is right that Germany responded rapidly to the Danish Government's invitation" “Thomas Erndl of the CDU/CSU, in charge of defence matters, says. According to him, Europeans show that they take US concerns seriously, but at the same time they set limits: any unagreed action by the president of the United States would endanger an impossible situation. On Wednesday evening, the German Ministry of Defence confirmed the sending of a 13-man squad to recognise the framework for possible contributions to maritime and air surveillance of the region. France reports that 15 of its troops are already on site; akin steps have been announced by Sweden and Norway.
Symbolic support
Bundeswehr's participation is besides supported by the opposition Greens. The messenger Sara Nanni convinces that Denmark needs a visible Community motion of solidarity today. In her opinion, the military movement alone is not adequate and should go hand in hand with the clear diplomatic force towards the White House. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, while visiting India, signaled the anticipation of strengthening German presence in the polar region and added that talks with Copenhagen were ongoing in this case; he besides did not exclude the function of the US in the solution agreed with Denmark.
Rapid consequence and strategical rate
Denmark sent out invitations to participate in a multi-national exploratory mission on Wednesday and the responses of European capitals came almost immediately. NATO has been treating shipping routes north and south of Greenland for years as critical. There are both lines of shifting from America to Europe and possible routes of Russian submarines. defence Minister Boris Pistorius recalled that there was a key GIUK luca — a strip between Greenland, Iceland and Britain — whose control determines the safety of the North Atlantic.
What's next?
Copenhagen and Nuuk proceed talking with Americans, but the fundamental difference of opinion is becoming clearer. Trump does not quit his plan to subdue the island of the United States, and Denmark corresponds to the mobilisation of allies and the strengthening of capacity in the region. In this context, the exploratory mission is of test importance: it will show how rapidly and sensible Europe will organise surveillance, logistics and exercises in the Arctic — before the dispute over Greenland's position enters a more severe phase. If the test is positive, real abilities will follow the symbolism and the price of unilateral movements will increase significantly.
