Nuuk, Greenland. Troops from several European countries, including France, Germany, the UK, Norway and Sweden, are arriving in Greenland in a show of support for Denmark, as talks between representatives of Denmark, Greenland, and the United States on Wednesday highlighted a “fundamental disagreement” between the Trump administration and European allies over the Arctic island’s future.

Denmark announced it would increase its military presence in Greenland on Wednesday, and several European partners began sending symbolic numbers of troops the same day, as Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers prepared to meet White House representatives in Washington.

The troop movements were intended to project European unity and signal to US President Donald Trump that an American takeover of Greenland is unnecessary, as NATO can safeguard Arctic security amid growing Russian and Chinese interest.

“The first French military elements are already en route,” French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday, adding that others would follow. French authorities said about 15 soldiers from a mountain infantry unit were already in Nuuk for a military exercise.

Germany will deploy a reconnaissance team of 13 personnel to Greenland on Thursday, its Defense Ministry said.

On Thursday, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the aim was “to establish a more permanent military presence with a larger Danish contribution,” according to Danish broadcaster DR. He said soldiers from several NATO countries would be deployed on a rotational basis.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, standing alongside his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt, said Wednesday that a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland remains with Trump following talks at the White House with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rasmussen added it remains “clear that the president has this wish of conquering Greenland,” but said dialogue with the US would continue at a high level in the coming weeks.

Residents of Greenland and Denmark reacted with anxiety but also relief that negotiations with Washington would continue and that European support was becoming visible.

In Nuuk, residents told The Associated Press they welcomed the first meeting between Greenlandic, Danish, and American officials, though many said it raised more questions than answers.

Several said Denmark’s decision to send more troops, along with support from NATO allies, offered protection against potential US military action, though European military officials have not suggested deterring a US move is the goal.

Maya Martinsen, 21, said it was “comforting to know that the Nordic countries are sending reinforcements” because Greenland is part of Denmark and NATO.

The dispute, she said, is not about national security but “the oil and minerals that we have that are untouched.”

More Troops, More Talks

Poulsen announced Wednesday a stepped-up military presence in the Arctic “in close cooperation with our allies,” calling it necessary in a security environment where “no one can predict what will happen tomorrow.”

“This means that from today and in the coming time there will be an increased military presence in and around Greenland of aircraft, ships, and soldiers, including from other NATO allies,” Poulsen said.

Asked whether the troop movements were coordinated with NATO, the alliance referred questions to Danish authorities, though NATO is studying ways to bolster Arctic security.

Rasmussen announced the creation of a working group with the US to address differences.

“The group, in our view, should focus on addressing American security concerns while respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he said.

Commenting on the talks Thursday, Poulsen said the working group was “better than no working group” and “a step in the right direction,” but added the dialogue did not mean “the danger has passed.”

“We are really happy that action is being taken to ensure this discussion does not end with just one meeting,” Greenlandic lawmaker Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam said at a news conference in Copenhagen.

She said Greenlanders understand they are a “pivotal point” in a broader shift in the international rules-based order and feel responsible for helping get it right. She added that military operations should not take place “right next to our schools and kindergartens.”

Line McGee, a 38-year-old from Copenhagen, said she welcomed diplomatic progress. “I don’t think the threat has gone away,” she said. “But I feel slightly better than I did yesterday.”

Speaking to Fox News Channel’s Special Report after the talks, Rasmussen rejected both a military takeover and the purchase of Greenland by the US. Asked whether he thought the US would invade, he said, “No — at least I hope not — because that would be the end of NATO.”

Rasmussen said Greenlanders were unlikely to vote for US rule even with financial incentives, arguing Washington would not pay for a Scandinavian welfare system.

“You haven’t introduced a Scandinavian welfare system in your own country,” he added.

Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, said: “We’ll see how it all works out. I think something will work out.”

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