FEELING GREEN
Nato nations hold secret talks on deploying troops to GREENLAND after Trump’s threats to seize island from Denmark
European countries are discussing a "what if" scenario
NATO countries have held secret talks over deploying troops to Greenland in response to Trump's threats to seize the island from Denmark.
The American President has repeatedly insisted US will invade the autonomous Danish territory.
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He sent the country on "crisis mode" last month after a fiery phone call with Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
His continuous remarks about buing the island have prompted EU politicians to threaten to deploy European troops on Greenland.
Diplomatic sources told that Germany was among the dozens of European nations holding informal talks over "what Nato troops would do" if Trump followed through on his threats.
One of the questions that was discussed was also whether Article 5, the Western military alliance’s mutual defence clause could be invoked in case of an American invasion of another Nato state.
READ MORE ON GREENLAND
But the option was quickly ruled out as it would require the unanimous vote of all 32 Nato states - including the US.
Germany's involvement in the discussions has raised questions given the refusal of German chancellor Olaf Scholz to send troops to Ukraine.
A Nato diplomat said: "Berlin doesn’t want to send troops to Ukraine because the situation is ‘too ambiguous’ but is openly flying kites about sending Nato troops to Greenland.
"It’s a moral compass without a needle."
Most read in The Sun
Trump's threats have led Greenland's ruling Siumut party to hold a vote on independence following a general election next month.
The semi-autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark, called a general election to be held on March 11.
Denmark announced last month a multi-billion dollar boost to its armed forces in the Arctic.
Trump told to make Greenland a Godfather-style ‘offer they CAN’T refuse’ as PM wants meeting - but Dane says 'f--k off'
General Robert Brieger of Austria, the top EU military official, said it "would make perfect sense" to station EU troops in Greenland.
He added: "That would send a strong signal and could contribute to stability in the region."
The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, said the bloc was "not negotiating" with the American President, who has said he needs Greenland for security purposes.
She added: "Of course we are supporting our member state, Denmark, and its autonomous region, Greenland, but we shouldn't also go into speculation about what-ifs because this is not the situation right now."
Trump has openly stated he wishes to take over Greenland ever since he started his second term in the White House.
He previously boasted that the people of Greenland wanted to be part of the US.
Trump said: "I think the people want to be with us.
"I don't really know what claim Denmark has to it, but it would be a very unfriendly act if they didn't allow that to happen because it's for the protection of the free world.
"I think Greenland we'll get because it has to do with freedom of the world."
Despite reportedly being told to "f*** off" by the Danes, Trump has insisted he needs Greenland for security purposes.
A security expert told The Sun that if Trump decided to take Greenland by force, he could do it in 24 hours with the "world's shortest war".
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His threats became even more concerning when Trump Jr visited the island sparking fears his dad is serious about snapping up Greenland.
Trump has also openly contemplated seizing the Panama Canal and, most shockingly, turning Canada into the 51st US state.
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EXCLUSIVE by Patrick Harrington, Foreign News Reporter
Trump could storm Greenland and claim it within 24 hours in the "world’s shortest war", analysts have revealed.
If Trump did invade, America's military might would end the war in a day, politics professor Anthony Glees told The Sun.
Speaking to The Sun, Glees said Trump will be surrounded by "people who think he is great" - and it means he will be able to go ahead with any wild ideas he has.
Glees said: "In other words, we have to take him seriously.
"And if Trump wanted to take Greenland by force, he could do it in 24 hours."
Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, told that "there is no defensive capacity in Greenland".
And it means it would be "the shortest war in the world".
The conflict would present an "unchartered" situation after the US entered a pact with Denmark in 1951 to defend Greenland against any attack.
The US has a nuclear base on the island that is constantly manned by troops.
Kristian Søby Kristensen, a military researcher at the University of Copenhagen, said: "Who would the Americans be fighting? Their own military?"
Glees said it was likely that, in the event of a US invasion, "there would be no military response to it because it is unthinkable that any Nato member would attack the US".
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