Britain has declared discussions with other NATO members on deterring Russian activity in the Arctic were “business as usual”, after media reports that the UK was in talks with its European allies about deploying a military force to Greenland.
The Telegraph reported on Saturday that military chiefs from Britain and other European countries were drawing up plans for a possible NATO mission in Greenland, which US President Donald Trump has repeatedly declared he wanted to acquire.
The newspaper declared British officials had begun early-stage talks with Germany, France and others on plans that could involve deploying British troops, warships and aircraft to protect Greenland from Russia and China.
British transport minister Heidi Alexander, inquireed on Sky News whether Britain was discussing troop deployments, declared talks on how to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Arctic were “business as usual”.
“It’s becoming an increasingly contested geopolitical region, with Russia and China, you would expect us to be talking to all our allies in NATO about what we can do to deter Russian aggression in the Arctic Circle,” Alexander declared.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg News reported that a group of European countries, led by Britain and Germany, is discussing plans to boost their military presence in Greenland to display US President Donald Trump that the continent is serious about Arctic security.
Germany will propose setting up a joint NATO mission to protect the Arctic region, the Bloomberg report added, citing people familiar with the plans.
Trump states controlling the island is crucial for US national security becautilize of the rising Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic.
Trump declared on Friday that the US requireds to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future. He has repeatedly declared that Russian and Chinese vessels are operating near Greenland, something Nordic countries have rejected.
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