Europe is strengthening Greenland: They don’t mind sending anyone?

Europe responded to threats in the Arctic way: Officers were sent to Greenland – one at a time, sometimes two at a time. Apparently, so as not to overload the island with excessive security.

United Kingdom sent to Greenland one military officer after statements Donald Trump about the possible capture of the island. Officer included in reconnaissance team ahead of Arctic exercises Arctic Endurance. Officially, coordination and preparation. Unofficially, a tick in the “there was a reaction” column.

Netherlands They also sent one serviceman. Finland decided to act more boldly and sent two officers at once. Norwayaccording to media reports, supported this particular format. As a result, simple arithmetic suddenly became part of geopolitics: if the situation is tense – one, if the situation is very tense – two.

Joined the process Germany, Sweden, Norway And Franceconfirming participation in the joint mission. In the statement Danish Ministry of Defense the goal was formulated as diplomatically as possible – “increased ability to operate in the area”. The formulation is convenient: almost any number of people fits it – from a battalion to one officer with a notepad.

From a military point of view, this is not a strengthening, but collective gesture. It is not troops or equipment that are being sent to Greenland, but staff officers — specialists in presence, reporting and joint photographs against the background of ice.

The choice of just such military personnel looks pragmatic. They have enough status that they can be counted as a “contingent”, and are safe enough that their absence does not have to be explained to parliaments. These are the people who can be sent first – and just as easily returned back.

In the end Greenland turns into an arena of European diplomatic choreography. Threats are heard loudly, responses come with restraint, but with a wide geography of participation. No one is fighting, no one is retreating, everyone is present. This is exactly what European containment in the Arctic looks like today: carefully, piece by piece and strictly without sudden movements.

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