Germany will deploy 13 soldiers to Greenland on Thursday as part of a European reconnaissance mission requested by Denmark, following President Donald Trump’s demands that Washington must control the strategically important island.
The mission will run from Thursday through Saturday to explore potential military contributions to strengthen regional security, the German government and defence ministry said on Wednesday.
Possible contributions could include maritime surveillance, the defence ministry statement added.
Trump has repeatedly declared in recent weeks that Greenland—an autonomous Danish territory that is strategically positioned and mineral-rich—is vital to US security, insisting America must own it to prevent Russia or China from occupying the island.
He has said all options remain on the table for securing the territory, a rhetoric that has severely strained relations between Europe and the United States.
Sweden and Norway announced earlier Wednesday that they would also send military personnel to the island.
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