Finland not sending more troops to Greenland
Finland’s immediate focus is on easing the pressure caused by America’s demands over Greenland, says Alexander Stubb.
It does not appear Finland is preparing to send more soldiers to Greenland.
Two Finnish officers are in Greenland assessing how Finland might best contribute to broader Arctic defence, according to Heikki Autto, chair of parliament’s defence committee.
For the time being, no further troops are planned, he said on Tuesday.
“It is important that the United States take part in the exercise [in Greenland]. Under their bilateral agreement, Denmark and the United States are responsible for Greenland’s security.”
US President Donald Trump has said that the United States intends to raise the question of acquiring Greenland at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
European leaders have consistently rejected Trump’s attempts to acquire Greenland, which belongs to Denmark. Trump has threatened eight European countries, including Finland, with additional tariffs should the United States fail to secure the territory.
According to President Alexander Stubb, the use of tariff threats is unacceptable.
Stubb told Finnish media in Davos that, of all recent international crises, the Greenland issue poses the greatest challenge for Finland. As a self-governing territory in the Arctic, it’s especially close to Finnish interests.
“There’s a lot up in the air at once with Ukraine, the Middle East, Iran and Venezuela. Greenland is the most difficult for us, because it concerns a close ally, Denmark, and fundamental issues like territorial integrity, sovereignty and self-determination,” he explained.
At the same time, he sought to reassure domestic audiences that Finland’s security situation remains stable and that the country is “well prepared for anything.”
Stubb, meanwhile, said there was nothing special about recently leaked messages he has conducted with Trump, together with Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre.
According to Stubb, Finland’s immediate priority is to defuse the pressure that the US demands over Greenland has injected into international relations.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Carney says he spoke with China’s Xi about Greenland, Arctic sovereignty, The Canadian Press
Denmark: EU chief promises ‘unflinching’ response to new tariffs as Trump trolls and threatens on social media, Reuters
Finland: Finland preparing to send two liaison officers to Greenland, Yle News
Greenland: New Italy Arctic policy adds U.S. Greenland ambitions to growing Arctic competition narrative, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: NATO chief to Arctic Allies: “We’re all frontline states now,” as Iceland’s role grows, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: “We want to be Europe’s most integrated region in terms of defence”, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia claims first-ever North Pole aerial refuelling, TASS reports, Reuters
Sweden: Swedish military intelligence on the great power rivalry over Greenland, Radio Sweden
United States: EU to hold emergency summit on Trump’s tariff threat over Greenland, Reuters
