The potential deployment of an international military presence in Greenland, as a gesture of solidarity with Denmark amidst tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, has garnered cautious support from within Germany’s Green Party. Agnieszka Brugger, deputy chair of the Green parliamentary group, voiced her approval, framing it as a necessary response to what she characterized as an escalatory stance from Washington.
Brugger, in an interview with the Rheinische Post, acknowledged the shared transatlantic security interests in the Arctic region but questioned the underlying motivations behind Trump’s recent actions. “While we undoubtedly share common security interests in the Arctic requiring concerted effort, the escalation by President Trump is perplexing. One can’t help but wonder about ulterior motives” she stated.
She emphasized that any military collaboration should be welcomed and facilitated through Denmark, a steadfast NATO ally. “Whatever military needs the U.S. possesses can be addressed through cooperation with reliable NATO member, Denmark, which has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to participate” Brugger explained. She suggested a military presence could help de-escalate the current conflict and encourage the U.S. to reconsider its plans, but stressed that it must be a decision desired by Denmark itself.
However, Brugger cautioned that such a deployment must be part of a broader strategy combined with robust diplomacy and assertive counter-pressure. She suggested that further escalation from the U.S. could warrant actions such as terminating trade deals or cancelling planned LNG gas imports.
Critically, Brugger leveled sharp criticism at the German government’s perceived inaction. “The Chancellor’s cowardly and shortsighted policy of looking the other way has been closely observed in the United States and has contributed to a culture of emboldening actions and disregard for European interests” she declared. She argued that while the EU should remain open to cooperation, it must also be prepared to respond firmly when necessary and resist being dictated to. “It’s certainly not about seeking military confrontation, but the EU must be ready to respond decisively when required.
The sentiment highlights growing concerns within European political circles regarding the increasingly unpredictable nature of U.S. foreign policy and the perceived need for a more proactive response from European nations to safeguard their own strategic interests.
