A UK minister has refused to rule out deploying British troops to Greenland amid mounting concerns over Donald Trump’s threats.
Keir Starmer is facing pressure to commit forces to the island as part of a NATO operation aimed at countering Russian and Chinese activity in the High North. The US President has hinted at a possible invasion of the Danish territory on national security grounds – a move firmly opposed by the UK.
Reports suggest plans are being drawn up for a NATO mission to safeguard Greenland. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the region was “increasingly contested” and added: “You would expect us to be talking to all our allies in NATO about what we can do to deter Russian aggression in the Arctic Circle.”
While she suggested that reports of military action were “reading into business as usual”, she did not dismiss the idea outright. Ms Alexander highlighted the UK’s existing role in the region, saying: “And of course, you know well that we’re a leading member in the Joint Expeditionary Force, which is a coalition of ten like-minded nations who see defence and deterrence in the Arctic Circle, in the high sea, as of being paramount importance.”
Mr Trump has previously proposed that the US could buy Greenland, warning last week: “If we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.” Denmark has cautioned that any invasion would fracture the NATO alliance, and Mr Starmer joined European leaders in urging the US President to abandon the idea.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister was pressed to offer British troops to protect the island from potential Russian aggression. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The UK should offer to send troops to Greenland as part of a joint NATO operation under Danish and UK command.
“If Trump is serious about security, he’d agree to participate and drop his outrageous threats. Tearing the NATO alliance apart would only play into the hands of Putin.”
The UK Government’s National Security Strategy, published last year, identified the Arctic as a new area of strategic competition, increasingly contested by Russia and China. NATO discussions on reinforcing security in the region are ongoing, with the UK working closely alongside its allies.
Last year, UK Commandos took part in Exercise Joint Viking in Norway – one of NATO’s largest High North drills, conducted in subzero conditions.
This year, 1,500 Royal Marines are set to deploy for Exercise Cold Response across Norway, Finland, and Sweden, training with allies to defend strategic terrain.
