European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen traveled to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, this week and pledged 200 million euros in new EU support for the territory, arriving as 11 NATO countries began a military training exercise on the island that runs through September 18.
Von der Leyen, accompanied by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, signed a joint declaration with Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on a strengthened EU-Greenland partnership. The funding is earmarked for climate adaptation, improved internet connectivity, hydropower, fisheries and education over the next two years. Von der Leyen also said she wants to roughly double the EU’s annual budget support to Greenland, to around 500 million euros, starting in 2028.
Why is the EU increasing its presence in Greenland now?
The visit comes amid repeated statements by President Trump that the United States should acquire or control Greenland for national security reasons, a position Denmark and Greenland’s government have rejected. “Greenland’s future is for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide, no one else,” von der Leyen said in Nuuk, adding that “territorial integrity, sovereignty, the inviolability of borders, these are fundamental principles of international law.”
She reiterated the message to Italy’s Corriere della Sera, saying the EU “stands firmly with Greenland and Denmark” and supports their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
What is the NATO exercise doing there?
The Arctic Shield exercise, which began the same day as von der Leyen’s visit, involves roughly 400 military personnel from 11 NATO member countries, including special forces troops trained for Arctic conditions from Canada, Denmark and Finland. No U.S. troops are participating in the drills. NATO exercises in Greenland are not new, but the timing alongside the EU funding announcement underscored the alliance’s focus on Arctic security as melting ice opens new shipping routes and resource access in the region.
Sources: ABC News · Al Jazeera · CNBC
