NATO as a fuse: Europe seeks to curb Trump's appetite for Greenland
European countries - NATO members - have begun discussing the possible deployment of the Alliance's military contingent in Greenland amid harsh statements by US President Donald Trump about the need for American control over the island. This was reported by the British newspaper The Telegraph.
According to the newspaper, the military leadership of the Alliance countries is already working on scenarios for a potential NATO mission in Greenland. The reason was Trump's statements that the United States should «own» the island to prevent its capture by Russia or China.
On Friday, the US president publicly stated that Washington is ready to defend Greenland «easy or hard way», and the White House did not rule out even the forceful annexation of the semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, which is a NATO member. Earlier, there were also reports in British tabloids about Trump's alleged order to prepare a plan for a military invasion of the island.
European diplomats cited by the British media believe that the deployment of NATO forces could be a deterrent and prevent unilateral US action. They also suggest that Trump's harsh rhetoric may be linked to domestic political motives - in particular, a desire to distract American voters from economic problems ahead of the US midterm elections.
European Union, NATO, US, Greenland, Donald Trump, Russia, China.
