Donald Trump has once again stirred international controversy by reviving the idea of taking control of Greenland this time using language that has alarmed NATO allies and raised fears about military escalation in the Arctic.
Amid Trump’s renewed rhetoric, reports suggest the United Kingdom could potentially deploy troops to Greenland as part of a broader NATO effort, should tensions continue to rise. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is said to agree with Trump on one point only: that the Arctic region is becoming increasingly vulnerable due to growing Russian and Chinese activity. However, Starmer has firmly rejected any notion that the United States can decide Greenland’s future.
During a phone call earlier this week, Starmer made it clear to Trump that Greenland’s status is a matter solely for Denmark and the Greenlandic people. That conversation was followed by a flurry of diplomatic engagement, with the Prime Minister now planning discussions with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Trump’s remarks have reignited debate over Greenland’s strategic importance. Although Greenland is geographically close to North America, it remains an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump has previously floated the idea of acquiring it, but his latest comments have been interpreted by many as far more aggressive than before.
Downing Street confirmed that Starmer has also spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, with talks focusing on how NATO should increase its presence in the “High North,” which includes Greenland and surrounding Arctic areas.
According to UK officials, NATO leaders agree that the alliance must strengthen deterrence in the region to counter Russia’s expanding military footprint. There are now reports that military planners are exploring options for a possible NATO-led mission in Greenland, though no formal decision has been announced.
One senior official told British media that the UK shares concerns about rising Russian aggression in the Arctic and believes collective action through NATO is essential to protect Euro-Atlantic security. The official stressed that any deployment would be coordinated with allies and conducted strictly within NATO frameworks.
The UK government has emphasized that it will not act unilaterally, but will continue working with partners to safeguard national and allied security interests.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has gone further, publicly urging the UK to offer troops as part of a joint NATO mission led by Denmark and supported by Britain. He argued that if Trump genuinely cares about regional security, he should back a NATO-led solution and abandon what Davey described as reckless threats that could fracture the alliance.
Davey also warned that undermining NATO unity would only benefit Vladimir Putin, particularly at a time when Russia is actively testing Western resolve in multiple regions.
The Foreign Office echoed a similar position, reaffirming Britain’s commitment to NATO and to strengthening collective defense in the Arctic. Officials stressed that cooperation, not coercion, remains the cornerstone of Western security policy.
As tensions rise, the situation highlights a growing divide between Trump’s confrontational approach and the multilateral strategy favored by European allies one that prioritizes diplomacy, international law, and alliance unity over unilateral action.
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