Sweden is set to deploy fighter jets and ground troops to Greenland as part of NATO’s newly launched Arctic Sentry mission, Reuters reported on 12 February.

The deployment comes as the alliance moves to reinforce its Arctic presence and ease tensions triggered by the US annexation push.

Stockholm described the move as strengthening deterrence in the Arctic and confirmed it will contribute air and land assets as NATO works to project alliance unity in the region.

A day earlier, NATO announced the launch of Arctic Sentry, a new security mission involving allied air patrols and ground exercises aimed at increasing coordination in the Arctic and addressing tensions sparked by Trump’s annexation threat on the basis of security.

“This strengthens deterrence, protects our common interests, and contributes to stability in a region that is crucial for Europe and transatlantic cooperation,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a statement.

Kristersson specified that Sweden “will initially contribute to Arctic Sentry with JAS 39 Gripen aircraft in the area around Iceland and Greenland.”

In a separate statement, the Swedish military confirmed that troops would also operate on the ground in Greenland, though it did not disclose numbers.

“Swedish Air Force Rangers and Army Rangers will conduct exercises on Greenland for a couple of weeks,” the Swedish Armed Forces said, though no timeline beyond the initial exercises was provided.

POLITICO, citing a poll conducted by London-based Public First, recently reported that respondents in Canada, France, Germany, and the UK increasingly view the US as an “unreliable ally,” with only 35 percent of UK respondents describing Washington as reliable. This comes as Trump continues to float annexation proposals involving Greenland and other allied territories, such as Canada.

Earlier polling on 20 January showed 55 percent of Britons support expelling US troops if Washington moves forward with annexing Greenland.

Trump argues the island is vital to US national security and must not fall under Russian or Chinese influence.

Moscow rejected that claim, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stating, “Neither Russia nor China has announced any claims,” and calling for disputes to be resolved “through negotiation, in accordance with international law.”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said earlier talks with the White House did “little” to change Washington’s position.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said military force to take Greenland is “always an option,” prompting European leaders to respond in a joint statement that “Greenland belongs to its people.”