NATO ‘far from being in a crisis’ over Greenland, says top commander

Summary

• US General Grynkewich, NATO's Europe head, stated the alliance isn't in "a crisis" despite Trump's Greenland threats.
• Trump suggested acquiring Greenland might be prioritised over NATO, raising concerns about US commitment to the alliance.
• The US already has a military presence in Greenland and could increase troops under a 1951 treaty with Denmark.

HELSINKI - The head of NATO’s forces in Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich, said on Jan 9 the military alliance is far from being in “a crisis”, following President Donald Trump’s threats to bring Greenland under US control.

“There’s been no impact on my work at the military level up to this point... I would just say that we’re ready to defend every inch of alliance territory still today,” Gen Grynkewich told reporters during a visit to Finland.

“So, I see us as far from being in a crisis right now,” he added.

Gen Grynkewich’s comments followed Mr Trump repeatedly stating that he wants US control of the mineral-rich autonomous Danish territory.

President Trump has not ruled out the use of military force
to acquire the strategically located Arctic island with a population of 57,000 people.

In an interview with The New York Times published on Jan 8, Mr Trump was asked if his priority was preserving the NATO military alliance or acquiring Greenland, and he told the newspaper: “It may be a choice.”

Asked by a reporter about Mr Trump’s statement, Gen Grynkewich said he did not wish to comment on whether NATO would survive without the US.

Mr Trump has long talked about acquiring Greenland but has ramped up his threats since the US military operation to topple Venezuela’s ruler, Mr Nicolas Maduro, last week.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due to meet officials from Denmark and Greenland next week.

Washington already has a military presence in Greenland – the Pituffik base, which dates from World War II when the US sent forces to defend Greenland after Denmark fell to Nazi Germany.

Some 150 personnel are permanently stationed at the base, but the US stationed up to 6,000 troops across Greenland during the Cold War, largely out of concerns that any Soviet missile would cross the island on its way to North America.

Under a 1951 treaty,
the US could simply notify Denmark it is again sending more troops. AFP