German troops departed Greenland on Sunday just two days after arriving for a widely publicized NATO exercise intended to demonstrate support for Denmark amid renewed rhetoric from President Trump about taking control of the Arctic island. The abrupt withdrawal raised eyebrows locally and underscored the fragility of Europe’s show of unity.
Residents in Nuuk watched as the small German contingent boarded a commercial Icelandair flight rather than a military transport, with about half of the soldiers seated in business class. The deployment was part of “Operation Arctic Endurance,” a Danish-led exercise announced after Trump questioned Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland and suggested the United States could seize the territory if it deemed it necessary for security reasons.
German officials denied that the mission had ended prematurely, saying additional international coordination would follow. Still, the brief and understated presence highlighted Europe’s careful balancing act as NATO allies navigate tensions with Washington over Greenland’s strategic importance.
Greenland sits astride critical Arctic shipping routes, contains vast natural resources and rare earth minerals, and already hosts key U.S. military infrastructure. Denmark and several European allies sought to ease tensions Saturday by issuing a joint statement reaffirming support for Danish control of Greenland and emphasizing that the Arctic exercise posed “no threat to anyone.”
The statement, signed by leaders from eight European nations, also warned that tariff threats and escalating rhetoric risk undermining transatlantic relations. While affirming solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, the message stopped short of signaling a sustained military buildup, reinforcing perceptions of European reluctance to escalate the dispute.
Meanwhile, tensions spilled into the streets of Greenland, where hundreds of protesters marched toward the U.S. Consulate with anti-American signs rejecting annexation. European Council President Antonio Costa later called for an extraordinary meeting to address the situation, stressing unity behind Denmark and Greenland while urging continued, constructive engagement with the United States.
