Britain Weighs Arctic Security Role as NATO Eyes Russia, China Threats

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Britain is holding discussions with NATO allies on how it can help strengthen security in the Arctic amid growing concerns over increased activity by Russia and China, a senior government minister said Sunday.

U.K. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the talks are “business as usual” and not a reaction to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has renewed calls for the United States to acquire Greenland.

Trump said Friday that Washington should make a deal to take control of the island—an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark—to prevent it from falling under Russian or Chinese influence. “We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not,” Trump said.

Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, is defended by Denmark, whose military is significantly smaller than that of the United States, which already operates a military base on the island. Denmark’s prime minister has warned that any forced takeover would pose a serious threat to NATO.

Alexander said London shares Washington’s assessment that Moscow and Beijing are becoming increasingly assertive in the Arctic Circle. While the region has not yet seen the level of conflict witnessed in Ukraine, she told the BBC it is vital for NATO to maintain a strong deterrent against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Former U.K. ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson said he does not believe Trump would seize Greenland by force, arguing that the broader issue of Arctic security must be addressed collectively. Mandelson, who was dismissed from his post last year amid controversy over his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, said the United States would likely lead any coordinated effort to secure the region.

Meanwhile, Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, suggested Britain could offer to deploy troops to Greenland under a joint command with Denmark. Davey said such cooperation would demonstrate a serious commitment to security while avoiding rhetoric that could fracture NATO.

It remains unclear how NATO’s remaining members would respond if the United States attempted to seize control of Greenland by force, or whether they would defend Denmark in such a scenario.

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