Denmark Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Copenhagen will expand military deployments and increase NATO exercises in the Arctic, underlining Greenland’s growing geopolitical importance.
By PC Bureau
January 14, 2026: Denmark has announced plans to strengthen its military presence in Greenland and deepen cooperation with NATO allies to increase activity in the Arctic, pushing back against US criticism that Copenhagen has failed to adequately defend the strategically vital territory.
“We will continue to strengthen our military presence in Greenland, but we will also place greater emphasis within NATO on more exercises and an enhanced NATO presence in the Arctic,” Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said in a statement to AFP on Wednesday.
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His remarks came just hours before a meeting at the White House involving officials from Greenland, Denmark and the United States to discuss the future of the autonomous Danish territory. Poulsen said Denmark remains in “ongoing dialogue with its allies” regarding new and expanded military activities planned for 2026.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, has drawn renewed geopolitical attention due to its strategic location between North America and Europe and its proximity to emerging Arctic shipping routes.
Denmark is underway to move more troops to Greenland in cooperation with undisclosed allies.
Preparatory staff are in place to solve logistics for potential larger Danish forces.
Details are sparse but https://t.co/hnFK1Yioyk reports that first plane landed 2 days ago. pic.twitter.com/ZCdSvJB6nQ
— auonsson (@auonsson) January 14, 2026
The issue has gained further prominence amid repeated statements by former US President Donald Trump, who has alternated between expressing interest in purchasing Greenland and issuing provocative remarks about a possible takeover. Trump’s comments intensified following recent US military actions in Venezuela, after which he renewed his focus on Greenland’s strategic importance.
US criticism of Denmark’s role in defending Greenland has remained a point of friction, with Trump questioning Copenhagen’s capabilities and arguing that the territory is critical to American national security. Both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected these claims, reiterating that Greenland is not for sale and remains committed to its existing political arrangement.
𓊝 Denmark sends military equipment, advanced troops to Greenland
🟥 Advanced command already sent to Greenland to prepare logistics, infrastructure for possible arrival of larger Danish, allied forces https://t.co/AAVpS8EMwk pic.twitter.com/WZjefE5yF7
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 14, 2026
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining responsibility for defence and foreign policy. Denmark’s latest statements appear aimed at reassuring NATO allies of its commitment to Arctic security and collective defence in an increasingly contested region.
