European Forces Land in Nuuk Ahead of Operation Arctic Endurance European troops arrived in Nuuk on Thursday as part of Denmark‑led Operation Arctic Endurance, a joint NATO drill involving France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom, with France fielding an initial 15‑person team and Germany deploying an A400M carrying 13 soldiers on a short‑term rotation; Finland sent two liaison officers for fact‑finding, and the deployment is described as reconnaissance and a political signal of NATO presence in the High North [1][2].

U.S. Absence Highlights Political Signal Over Direct Involvement The United States is not participating in the drills despite President Trump’s renewed public claim that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security and his suggestion of forceful acquisition; a White House spokesperson said the European deployment will not affect U.S. decision‑making, and Danish officials called any hypothetical U.S. attack on a NATO ally unlikely [1][2].

Reinforcement Plans and Rotating Assets Expand NATO Footprint France announced that its initial contingent will be reinforced with additional land, air and sea assets in the coming days, while Germany’s A400M rotation underscores a broader strategy of rotating forces to maintain a visible NATO footprint; the Danish deputy prime minister expects further NATO arrivals by air and sea as the exercise progresses [1][2].

Diplomatic Moves Signal Long‑Term Engagement in the High North Following the drills, Canada and France plan to open consulates in Nuuk, indicating a shift toward deeper diplomatic engagement, a detail reported by Newsweek but absent from the BBC account, which focused solely on the military deployment [1].