The news sounds spectacular: the first NATO troops have landed on Greenland, German soldiers are also supposed to ensure security in the capital Nuuk. It almost seems as if NATO has sided with the Europeans in the dispute with the USA – and as if a showdown with US President Donald Trump could happen at any time.
The reality is different: Operation “Arctic Endurance” is not an official NATO mission, but initially just a European initiative. The North Atlantic Alliance is trying to stay out of the dispute over Trump’s threatened annexation of Greenland – or to appease it.
This was shown by an appearance by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the European Parliament on Tuesday in Brussels. At the invitation of the Liberals, Rutte was supposed to give an outlook for the new year. The Dutchman talked about Ukraine and the danger from Russia – but he didn’t say a word about Greenland. When asked, things didn’t get any better.
Rutte said NATO last spoke about security in the Arctic in the summer of 2025. It was a good conversation, emphasized the Dutchman. It was agreed that more needed to be done to protect the Arctic from Russia and China. Rutte did not respond to Trump’s new threats against Greenland and Denmark.
paralysis and splitting
Apparently the NATO chief wanted to go easy on his American “daddy,” as he jokingly calls Trump. Rutte repeatedly curries favor with the Americans and repeatedly downplays conflicts in NATO. But he won’t be able to get away with it for much longer – the conflict threatens to paralyze the alliance and ultimately even split it.
“If Trump invades Greenland,” it would be “the end of NATO,” warns Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Many Europeans see it similarly. To defuse the conflict, several countries – including Germany – have proposed a NATO “Arctic Sentry” mission. It could monitor the waters around Greenland, helping to ease American concerns about a growing Russian presence.
Germany and Great Britain are said to have even agreed to provide troops for this mission. But NATO boss Rutte did not take up the suggestion because it was not well received by the USA. However, nothing works in NATO without or even against the Americans. The result: The military alliance seems paralyzed.
It is unlikely that Operation “Arctic Endurance” will change this. Because the Europeans are poorly organized in NATO. The much-vaunted “European pillar” only exists on paper. The military supreme command for Europe – and therefore also for Greenland – lies with an American general.
Verbal resistance
In addition, the Europeans are not acting as unitedly as they might seem after sending soldiers to Nuuk. Greenland and Denmark are primarily offering verbal resistance. After the inconclusive summit meeting with the US administration in the White House on Wednesday, they are relying on a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
France, on the other hand, demonstrates military strength. A year ago, President Emmanuel Macron proposed sending a European military contingent to Greenland. On Thursday he convened the National Defense Council. Afterwards it was said in Paris that they wanted to prepare a larger European military exercise.
Things sound much more cautious in Berlin. The Federal Ministry of Defense emphasized the goal of joint action with the USA. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the importance of coordination within NATO – “especially with our US partners”. That doesn’t sound like resistance to Trump.