The prospect of an international military presence in Greenland, intended as a show of solidarity with Denmark amidst escalating tensions with US President Donald Trump, has garnered support from within the German Green Party. Agnieszka Brugger, deputy parliamentary group chair of the Greens, voiced her approval in an interview with the “Rheinische Post”, questioning the true motivations behind Trump’s increasingly aggressive stance.
Brugger acknowledged shared transatlantic security interests in the Arctic region, arguing that increased cooperation is warranted. She expressed bewilderment at Trump’s recent escalation and suggested a deeper investigation into the underlying factors driving his actions may be necessary. She emphasized that collaborating with Denmark, a reliable NATO ally consistently willing to assist, would provide the US with necessary resources.
While recognizing the potential for military presence to bolster transatlantic security, Brugger stressed the crucial condition that such deployments must be desired by Denmark. She believes a collaborative presence could serve to de-escalate the current conflict and possibly persuade Trump to reconsider his plans. However, she cautioned against relying solely on military solutions, advocating for a strategy combining astute diplomacy with robust counter-pressure. This could include, she suggested, potential termination of trade deals or existing LNG gas agreements in the event of further escalation.
Crucially, Brugger leveled sharp criticism at the current German government’s response, characterizing their approach as “cowardly and unwise”. She asserts that Chancellor Scholz’s policy of tacit avoidance has been noted in Washington, contributing to a perception that European interests are not being taken seriously and emboldening further assertive actions from the US. Brugger underscored the importance of the EU maintaining a willingness to collaborate, but also emphasizing the necessity of possessing the resolve to respond forcefully when required, even while avoiding any active pursuit of military confrontation. The message is clear: Europe must stand firm and demonstrate its commitment to defending its interests, lest it risk being marginalized on the world stage.