This week it became known that, amid threats from the US President, some European countries, at the request of Denmark, sent a small number of troops to Greenland. Some countries sent one military man. Italy has not yet joined this initiative.
“I'm wondering: why? On a tour? 15 Italians, 15 French, 15 Germans – it's like the beginning of a joke,” Crosetto said.
He added that it is necessary to maintain the unity of the Western world, “always based on the logic of NATO.”
“I am for expansion, and not for dividing the already fragmented world into nations,” the minister explained.
Context
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly repeated that the United States must gain control over Greenland (an autonomous territory of Denmark), otherwise it will allegedly be captured by China and the Russian Federation. He also said that the US could use military force to take over Greenland.
The media wrote on January 8, 2026 that Washington is ready to offer up to $100 thousand to each resident of the Danish island. As The Economist reported, the Trump administration is working on an agreement to present to Greenland. According to the publication, the White House may offer Greenland a so-called agreement of free association (COFA). Based on such a document, the United States has already extended its influence to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau in the Pacific Ocean.
On January 12, EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said that a potential military annexation of Greenland by America could be the end for NATO.
On January 13, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that between the United States and Denmark, the country chooses Denmark and “does not want” to belong to, be part of, or be governed by the United States.
Against the backdrop of statements by the American president, a number of countries, including Denmark, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, UK sent military personnel to Greenland for reconnaissance purposes in preparation for military exercises.
