NATO Plans to Boost Army Presence in Arctic Near Greenland

(MENAFN) NATO has announced plans to boost its military footprint in the Arctic region near Greenland, a move officials say responds to US President Donald Trump’s recent push to assert control over the Danish autonomous territory, which he claims faces potential threats from Russia and China.

While Russia has stated it has no direct claims over Greenland, it has warned that it will protect its interests throughout the wider Arctic. “Planning work is underway on increased NATO activity under the name ‘Arctic Sentry,’” said Martin O’Donnell, a spokesperson for NATO’s top military command in Europe. He added that the initiative aims to “further strengthen NATO’s posture in the Arctic and High North.”

Reports indicate that the initiative was partly intended to address Trump’s concerns that Russia and China could seize the island. Both Moscow and Beijing have dismissed the accusations, with China asserting that the US is using the claims as a pretext to justify a military buildup in the Arctic.

European Union officials have also rejected the narrative, with EU transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas stating last week that there is no evidence of “foreign adversaries” targeting Greenland.

Russia already maintains extensive access to the Arctic, holding more than half of the world’s Arctic coastline and operating the largest fleet of icebreaker vessels to support development and maintain shipping along the Northern Sea Route.

Nevertheless, Russian authorities argue that Western nations are increasingly relying on “illegitimate sanctions aimed at hindering the development of the Russian Arctic” and are favoring the “use of force” to advance their strategic interests, according to Russian Foreign Ministry official Vladislav Maslennikov.

MENAFN05022026000045017281ID1110698867