NATO to Offer USA Arctic Expansion Due to Tensions Over Greenland
NATO countries plan to offer US President Donald Trump a joint expansion of defense capabilities in the Arctic to reduce tensions around Greenland.
This was reported by Handelsblatt.
The European countries of the alliance are expected to help the United States maintain national security, which is currently based on the transfer of Greenland to the United States.
At present, according to some NATO officials, US security interests can also be met by a much stronger presence of allies in the region.
According to the newspaper, the alliance is currently having informal conversations with Trump to reduce tensions around the island and make him understand that some NATO members will maintain an appropriate level of presence as part of new defense plans adopted in 2023.
According to the publication, such discussions are very important for NATO, as, on the one hand, the alliance must fear for its credibility if a leading member suddenly threatens to annex the territory of another state by force – especially given Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine and China’s claims to Taiwan.
On the other hand, it would be a major disaster for NATO if the United States were to withdraw from the alliance over such a dispute, as NATO’s deterrence is based primarily on the U.S. nuclear arsenal and the power of its conventional forces.
Today, the United States already has a certain presence in Greenland under a bilateral agreement. Currently, Greenland is the location of US radar and satellite tracking systems, as well as an air base that is operational but does not have a permanent air wing.
Earlier, Militarnyi reported that France had discussed with Denmark the possibility of sending troops to Greenland in response to the possibility of the United States annexing the island.
In addition, Denmark is investing $2 billion to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
In order to strengthen security and expand military capabilities in the region, the Danish government signed the first interim agreement in cooperation with the autonomous authorities of the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
The agreement provides for the construction of three new Arctic ships that will be able to solve tasks around Greenland more efficiently and flexibly. Helicopters and drones will be able to be based on board.
