Battle Lines Trump wants to conquer Greenland. This is how Europe can stop him
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Jan 16, 2026 Rachel Ellehuus, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute and former senior US official at NATO, shares insights on Trump’s serious ambitions regarding Greenland. She explains why Greenland’s geopolitical importance is underestimated, discussing missile defense and critical minerals. The podcast delves into the European response, the security implications for NATO, and the economic interests at play. Ellehuus highlights Denmark's firm stance against US claims and suggests strategies for Europe to safeguard its values in this pivotal moment.
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Greenland Is Far More Strategic Than It Looks
- Greenland matters strategically for missile defence, Arctic dominance and critical minerals.
- Rachel Ellehuus says the issue is a direct challenge to the post‑Cold War security order.
Russian And Chinese Presence Is Overstated
- Claims of heavy Russian or Chinese military presence around Greenland are exaggerated.
- Ellehuus notes Russia's Arctic forces sit further east, around the Kola Peninsula, not Greenland.
Denmark Is Funding Greenland's Security
- Denmark already invests heavily in Arctic defence and surveillance, including fighters and satellites.
- Ellehuus points to Danish 2025 pledges as evidence the security gap claim is weak.