BERLIN — Robert Brieger, the top European Union military official, stated in an interview with Germany's Welt am Sonntag (published on January 25) that it would be logical to station EU troops in Greenland, especially as US President Donald Trump has shown interest in acquiring the Danish territory.

Brieger, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, emphasized that it would make sense not only for the US to continue stationing troops in Greenland but also for the EU to consider deploying soldiers there in the future. However, he noted that such a move would ultimately require a political decision. The military committee, while serving as an advisory body, is the highest military office of the European Council, and the EU lacks a dedicated army.

Although Greenland is not part of the EU, being an autonomous territory of Denmark, it holds strategic value for both the US and Europe due to its natural resources and location, Brieger explained. He also pointed out that with the accelerating ice melt from climate change, tensions with Russia and possibly China could arise.

Trump has expressed a desire to make Greenland part of the US, though he has not ruled out using military or economic pressure to convince Denmark to transfer the territory. The strategic positioning of Greenland, especially its proximity to the shortest route between Europe and North America, is vital for the US ballistic missile warning system.

Brieger concluded by expressing hope that, as a UN member, the US would uphold the principle of territorial integrity as outlined in the UN Charter.

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