Denmark went as far as preparing an extreme plan to defend Greenland in the face of a possible military action by the United States.
Among the measures considered was the destruction of strategic runways, such as those in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq, with the aim of preventing the landing of American troops. The mobilization included the deployment of explosives and even blood reserves to treat potential casualties in the event of a conflict.
The tension originated from pressure by Washington to take control of the Arctic island, intensifying after the election of Donald Trump. As early as 2025, the Danish government began discreet coordination with European allies such as France and Germany, seeking political and military support to contain a possible escalation.
The situation escalated rapidly in early January 2026, especially after the U.S. offensive in Venezuela, which raised alert levels among European countries. In response, multinational forces were urgently deployed to Greenland, bringing together troops from Denmark and other allied nations. The strategy was clear: increase the cost of any invasion attempt and create a strong deterrent effect.
Despite the preparations, the crisis began to cool down by the end of January, when Trump stepped back from military rhetoric and stated that he would seek access to Greenland through agreements within NATO. Even so, the episode exposed one of the most significant recent tensions among Western allies and raised concerns about the stability of the transatlantic alliance.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @JFCNorfolk | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
