Stockholm, Sweden – January 14, 2026 – Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on Wednesday that several officers from the Swedish Armed Forces have been dispatched to Greenland at the explicit request of Denmark. The deployment is part of a multinational effort to prepare for upcoming elements of the Danish-led military exercise, Operation Arctic Endurance, amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Arctic region. This move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump revives his longstanding interest in acquiring the vast autonomous territory, citing national security imperatives.
In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Kristersson detailed the involvement: "Several officers from the Swedish Armed Forces are arriving in Greenland today. They are part of a group from several allied countries. The military personnel will prepare for upcoming elements within the framework of the Danish exercise Operation Arctic Endurance. It is at Denmark's request that Sweden is sending personnel from the Armed Forces." The statement underscores Sweden's commitment to supporting NATO allies, particularly Denmark, in maintaining Arctic security and readiness.
Greenland, the world's largest island and an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has long been a focal point for international strategic interests due to its prime location in the Arctic, rich mineral deposits—including rare earth elements essential for technology and renewable energy—and its role in monitoring global climate change. The island's ice sheet covers about 80% of its surface, but melting due to global warming has exposed new resource opportunities and shipping routes, attracting attention from major powers like the United States, Russia, and China.
President Trump's latest expressions of interest in Greenland echo his 2019 proposal during his first term, when he suggested purchasing the territory outright, a notion swiftly rebuffed by Danish and Greenlandic officials as "absurd." Now, in his second term, Trump has escalated his rhetoric. Earlier on Wednesday, he posted on Truth Social: "The US needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security and it is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building." The "Golden Dome" reference appears to allude to a proposed U.S. missile defense system expansion, potentially involving Arctic bases to counter threats from intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons.
Trump's administration has framed the acquisition as essential for countering perceived encroachments by adversaries. U.S. officials have voiced concerns over increasing Russian military activities in the Arctic, including submarine patrols and airbase expansions, as well as China's investments in Greenlandic mining projects and research stations, which some view as dual-use for military purposes. A 2025 Pentagon report highlighted Greenland's Thule Air Base—already hosting U.S. forces under a 1951 defense treaty—as critical for early warning radar systems monitoring North American airspace.
Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected any sale, reaffirming Danish sovereignty. Greenland's Premier Múte B. Egede stated in a recent interview: "Greenland is not for sale and will never be for sale. We are an autonomous nation charting our own future." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed this, calling Trump's comments "unwelcome interference" while appreciating allied support in exercises like Operation Arctic Endurance.
The Danish exercise, launched in 2024, focuses on enhancing interoperability among NATO members in extreme Arctic conditions, including search-and-rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and defense against hybrid threats. Sweden's participation aligns with its recent NATO accession in 2024, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which prompted Stockholm to abandon its long-standing policy of military non-alignment. The deployed Swedish officers—estimated at around 10-15, according to defense sources—will assist in logistics, planning, and specialized training in cold-weather warfare, drawing on Sweden's expertise in sub-Arctic operations.
This deployment is not isolated; it involves personnel from other NATO allies, including Norway, Canada, and the United Kingdom, reflecting a collective response to Arctic vulnerabilities. The region has seen a surge in military activities: Russia conducted large-scale drills in 2025 involving over 80,000 troops, while China expanded its "Polar Silk Road" initiative, investing in infrastructure that could facilitate naval access.
Meanwhile, high-level diplomacy is underway in Washington. U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were scheduled to host Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Motzfeldt, at the White House on Wednesday. The meeting aims to discuss bilateral cooperation on security, climate, and economic development, but sources indicate U.S. officials may press for expanded American presence, such as additional basing rights or joint resource exploration agreements. Rasmussen has signaled openness to dialogue but firmness on sovereignty: "We value our alliance with the U.S., but Greenland's status is non-negotiable."
The timing of Sweden's announcement and the White House talks has fueled speculation about coordinated efforts to bolster Denmark's position amid Trump's overtures. Analysts suggest the multinational exercise serves as a subtle demonstration of solidarity, deterring any unilateral U.S. actions while addressing shared threats. "This is about reinforcing alliances in a contested space," said Dr. Rebecca Pincus, an Arctic security expert at the U.S. Naval War College. "The Arctic is no longer a peripheral theater; it's central to great-power competition."
Public reactions have been mixed. In Greenland, where the population of about 56,000 relies heavily on Danish subsidies and fishing, some residents express wariness of foreign involvement. "We want development, but on our terms," said a Nuuk resident in a local poll. In the U.S., Trump's proposal has divided opinions: supporters view it as bold strategic foresight, while critics decry it as imperialistic and distracting from domestic issues.
Economically, Greenland's untapped resources—estimated at trillions in value, including zinc, iron ore, and uranium—make it attractive. A 2025 U.S. Geological Survey report projected that melting ice could unlock 20% more mineral deposits by 2030. However, environmental concerns loom large, with indigenous Inuit communities advocating for sustainable practices amid accelerating climate impacts.
As the officers arrive in Greenland—likely at bases like Kangilinnguit or near Nuuk—the exercise preparations will test NATO's cohesion. Trump's administration has pledged to "make the Arctic American again," but allies like Sweden and Denmark are signaling that cooperation, not acquisition, is the path forward. The coming weeks may reveal whether diplomacy prevails or if tensions escalate in this frozen frontier.
This development highlights the evolving dynamics of Arctic geopolitics, where climate change, resource competition, and security intersect. With Operation Arctic Endurance set to intensify in spring 2026, the international community watches closely as powers navigate this thawing theater.
