The deployment of European troops to Greenland for reconnaissance, aimed at enhancing the defense of the island and the Arctic region, sends a clear signal to Donald Trump and the United States: “We will not tolerate this.”
Dr. Joachim Weber emphasized that the West had long neglected its own presence in the Arctic, but that there is currently no concrete threat from this direction. While Russia maintains a significant presence, it is primarily defensive and does not constitute a threat to Greenland or the United States. Trump’s pretext—that China and Russia would take over Greenland if the U.S. did not act—is, according to Dr. Weber, a complete figment of imagination.
The United States had fallen behind in monitoring developments in the Arctic, and Trump now seeks to compensate through the annexation of Greenland. This, however, is entirely irrational. U.S. interests are primarily related to resources but also to security. It is important to note, however, that the United States has the right to establish military bases in Greenland, and that a territorial takeover is therefore unnecessary to ensure the island’s security.
Internal disputes within NATO, Dr. Weber concluded, are a gift to Russia, which seeks to exploit divisions within the alliance as a strategic objective. According to him, Donald Trump has already significantly weakened NATO.