European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Greenland to sign a joint declaration and deepen EU–Greenland ties while signalling greater European investment in the Arctic. The Commission has proposed €530 million for Greenland in its 2028–2034 budget and von der Leyen may announce an additional €200 million during the visit. The trip comes amid renewed US interest in the island, calls to repopulate former bases, and strong statements from Greenlandic leaders asserting their desire for self-determination.
Von der Leyen Visits Greenland to Cement EU Support and Announce Major Investment Boost
EU chief von der Leyen heads to Greenland in show of support for the island
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is visiting Greenland on Sunday and Monday to reaffirm the European Union's support for the island and to strengthen ties with local authorities amid renewed US interest in acquiring the territory.
During the visit von der Leyen is expected to sign a joint declaration with Greenland's authorities that formalises closer cooperation between the EU and the Danish autonomous territory. The trip also includes announcements on increased investment as part of a broader European push to bolster Arctic security.
Funding and Strategic Commitment
The European Commission has proposed allocating €530 million to Greenland in its draft budget for the 2028–2034 period, citing the island's "growing geostrategic importance in the Arctic." Media reports indicate von der Leyen may announce an additional €200 million in support during the visit, part of what she has called a "massive European investment surge" to strengthen infrastructure, resilience and security across the Arctic.
Political Context
The trip takes place against the backdrop of repeated public suggestions from US President Donald Trump that the United States should acquire Greenland for reasons of "national security," arguing that China or Russia might otherwise seek influence over the island. In May, Jeff Landry — Trump's special envoy to Greenland and governor of Louisiana — said the US should "put its footprint back" on the territory and pushed for repopulating former military bases.
Houses are seen near the coast of a sea inlet of Nuuk, Greenland, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. - Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
"Everyone that I've talked to in Greenland would love to see the US repopulate those bases," Landry told Agence France-Presse, adding that the territory "needs the US."
Greenlandic political leaders have pushed back on the idea of being absorbed by another country. In January, leaders of five political parties in Greenland's parliament issued a joint statement: "We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes; we want to be Greenlanders."
Security and Military Presence
At the height of the Cold War the US reportedly operated 17 military facilities in Greenland and more than 10,000 troops. Today the United States maintains a single base on the island: the Pituffik Space Base (also known as Thule), the US Department of Defense's northernmost installation. According to the US Space Force, Pituffik supports missile warning, missile defence and space surveillance missions.
The EU frames its investment and diplomatic engagement as part of a wider strategy to protect Arctic sovereignty, infrastructure and interests while offering Greenland alternatives to increased dependence on any single outside power.
Image caption: Houses near the coast of a sea inlet of Nuuk, Greenland, on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press)
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