Germany to pitch Arctic Nato mission as Greenland, EU brace for Trump

Germany will propose setting up a joint Nato mission to monitor and protect security interests in the Arctic region in a bid to ease tensions with the US over its threats to annex Greenland, according to two people familiar with the government’s thinking.

Nato’s “Baltic Sentry” mission – begun a year ago to shield critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea – could serve as a blueprint for a new “Arctic Sentry” mission, which would include Greenland, said people who declined to be identified discussing confidential plans.

While US President Donald Trump has long mused about making Greenland a part of the US for national security reasons, his focus on the self-governing island that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark has intensified in recent days following the audacious US raid to capture the leader of Venezuela. That action has sparked new fears among allies over Trump’s willingness to deploy the US military to achieve his foreign policy goals.

Trump’s fiery rhetoric has sparked alarm in Europe and a flurry of diplomatic activity as officials try to ascertain his intentions.

On Sunday, Germany’s vice chancellor – who is flying to Washington this week for a meeting of Group of Seven finance ministers convened by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent – called on the US to respect Greenland’s sovereignty and international law.

“It is solely a matter for Denmark and Greenland to decide on the future of Greenland,” said Lars Klingbeil, who is also Germany’s finance chief. “Territorial sovereignty and integrity must be respected. These principles of international law apply to everyone – including the United States. We are working together as Nato allies to increase security in the Arctic, not against each other.”