Germany has concluded its initial military deployment to Greenland, with the Bundeswehr confirming that a small contingent of soldiers has now departed the Danish autonomous territory.
Armed forces spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Peter Milevchuk told Germany’s Funke media group that the mission, which involved 15 personnel, had been completed as planned and featured close and constructive cooperation with Danish forces.
The deployment formed part of a broader European effort to bolster security coordination around Greenland, following rising geopolitical tensions linked to renewed US interest in acquiring the Arctic territory. Denmark announced earlier this week that it would host a military exercise on the island, with participation from several European partners including Germany, France, Sweden, Norway and the United Kingdom. Each country contributed a limited number of personnel, primarily for reconnaissance and coordination purposes.
According to Milevchuk, data gathered during the German mission will now be reviewed, marking the end of Berlin’s immediate on-the-ground involvement. The exercise followed talks between Denmark, Greenland and the United States that concluded without agreement, with officials acknowledging deep divisions between Washington and its European allies over Greenland’s future.
US President Donald Trump has recently renewed calls for Greenland to come under American control, arguing that it is strategically vital to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. Both Moscow and Beijing have dismissed those claims. Trump has also publicly derided Denmark’s military presence on the island and escalated tensions by threatening additional tariffs against countries opposing his position.
European leaders have responded sharply. French President Emmanuel Macron labelled the tariff threats unacceptable, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned they could damage transatlantic relations and reaffirmed EU support for Denmark and Greenland. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer likewise criticised the move, saying it undermines NATO unity and vowing to raise the issue directly with Washington.
CALM DOWN EVERYONE…
THE GERMANS WERE ALWAYS SCHEDULED TO FLY BACK FROM GREENLAND TODAY
German troops leaving Greenland was scheduled, it’s not a retreat
The Bundeswehr contingent departing Greenland today is being spun as some kind of panicked withdrawal. It isn’t.
Germany… pic.twitter.com/gvyEsHHG3z
— PiQ (@PiQSuite) January 18, 2026
