Troops from several European countries have started arriving in Greenland to strengthen security on the Arctic island, following high-level talks between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States that revealed serious disagreements over Greenland’s future and security.

Soldiers from France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden are part of this growing military presence. The move comes after discussions in Washington highlighted what Danish officials described as a “fundamental disagreement” between the Trump administration and European allies regarding Greenland.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the deployment on Wednesday. He said, “The first French military elements are already en route,” adding that “others will follow.” French authorities later said that around 15 French soldiers from a mountain infantry unit had already reached Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, to take part in a military exercise.

Germany also announced its contribution. The German Defence Ministry said a reconnaissance team of 13 personnel would be deployed to Greenland on Thursday.

Denmark, which governs Greenland as part of the Kingdom of Denmark, said it would increase its own military presence on the island, with support from NATO allies. This announcement came as Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers met White House representatives in Washington on Wednesday. The talks focused on U.S. President Donald Trump’s stated interest in taking control of Greenland, citing its mineral resources and the strategic importance of the Arctic amid increased Russian and Chinese activity.

On Thursday, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the goal was “to establish a more permanent military presence with a larger Danish contribution,” according to Danish broadcaster DR. He added that soldiers from several NATO countries would be stationed in Greenland on a rotating basis.

After the Washington meeting, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said there was still a “fundamental disagreement” with President Trump over Greenland. Standing alongside Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, Rasmussen said that it remained “clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland.”

President Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office after the meeting, said, “We really need it.” He added, “If we don’t go in, Russia is going to go in and China is going to go in. And there’s not a thing Denmark can do about it, but we can do everything about it.”

Trump also said he had not yet been briefed about the details of the White House meeting when he made those comments.

In Nuuk, local residents reacted cautiously to the developments. People told The Associated Press that they were glad the first direct meeting between Greenlandic, Danish, and U.S. officials had taken place, but many felt it left more questions unanswered.

Several residents said they saw Denmark’s decision to send more troops, along with support from other NATO allies, as a form of protection against possible U.S. military action. However, European military officials have not said that the troop deployments are meant to deter the United States.

Maya Martinsen, a 21-year-old resident, said it was “comforting to know that the Nordic countries are sending reinforcements,” noting that Greenland is part of Denmark and NATO. She added that the dispute was not really about “national security” but about “the oils and minerals that we have that are untouched.”

On Wednesday, Poulsen had already announced a stronger military presence in the Arctic. He said it would be done “in close cooperation with our allies” and described it as necessary in a situation where “no one can predict what will happen tomorrow.” He said, “This means that from today and in the coming time there will be an increased military presence in and around Greenland of aircraft, ships and soldiers, including from other NATO allies.”

When asked whether these European troop movements were coordinated with NATO, or what role the alliance would play, NATO directed all questions to Danish authorities. Still, a NATO official said the alliance is examining ways for members to jointly strengthen their presence in the Arctic. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly.

Rasmussen also announced the creation of a working group with the United States to address ongoing disagreements. He said, “The group, in our view, should focus on how to address the American security concerns, while at the same time respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark.”

Poulsen commented on the working group on Thursday, calling it “better than no working group” and “a step in the right direction.” However, he warned that talks with the U.S. did not mean “the danger has passed.”

Line McGee, a 38-year-old from Copenhagen, said she was relieved to see some diplomatic movement. “I don’t think the threat has gone away,” she said. “But I feel slightly better than I did yesterday.”

Speaking later to FOX News Channel’s Special Report, Rasmussen rejected the idea of a U.S. military takeover or the purchase of Greenland. Asked if he thought the U.S. would invade, he replied, “No, at least I do not hope so, because, I mean, that would be the end of NATO.”

Rasmussen also said Greenlanders were unlikely to accept U.S. rule even with financial incentives. “Because I think there’s no way that U.S. will pay for a Scandinavian welfare system in Greenland, honestly speaking,” he said. He added, “You haven’t introduced a Scandinavian welfare system in your own country.”

Trump, when asked about the situation, said, “We’ll see how it all works out. I think something will work out.”