The White House stated Thursday that the deployment of European troops in Greenland will not alter US President Donald Trump’s ambitions to take control of the Arctic island from Denmark.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the president’s “goal of acquiring Greenland remains unchanged” despite recent European military activity.

European nations including France, Sweden, Germany, and Norway have sent reconnaissance teams to Greenland’s capital Nuuk as part of a NATO-coordinated exercise. According to Euro News, the mission is aimed at assessing security risks in the Arctic amid growing concerns over Russian and Chinese activity. Germany’s defense ministry confirmed that a 13-member Bundeswehr unit would be stationed in Nuuk through Sunday.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, after talks in Washington, said a US takeover was “absolutely not necessary” but admitted there remained a “fundamental disagreement” between the allies. Trump, however, sounded cautiously optimistic, saying, “I have a very good relationship with Denmark, and I think something will work out.”

The president has argued that controlling Greenland is critical for US strategic security, especially after his recent assertive actions abroad, including the early January strike in Venezuela.

BOB Post