Denmark has for the first time sent conscripted soldiers to Greenland.

Denmark has sent conscripts to Greenland for the first time as part of efforts to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic. Reuters reported on this.

 

This decision comes against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated statements about his desire to transfer Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory belonging to Denmark, to U.S. control. Copenhagen and the Greenlandic government have firmly rejected this idea.

 

The conscripts sent to Greenland are part of the first cohort of Denmark's new program to extend military service. They are undergoing training in conducting combat operations and survival in the harsh Arctic climate conditions.

 

The conscripts are participating in the "Arctic Endurance" exercises. These exercises are being conducted within the framework of the "Arctic Sentry" mission, which is aimed at strengthening NATO's presence in the Arctic.

 

The Danish government plans to allocate billions of dollars to strengthen defense in the Arctic. The country's defense minister has acknowledged that the region has not received sufficient investment for years.

 

Meanwhile, Russia has expressed concern over NATO's increased activity in the Arctic, assessing it as a direct security threat. China is also expanding its activities in the region, particularly in areas rich in natural resources.