A number of European countries have opened the door to deploying troops in Greenland to 'maintain security in the Arctic'

Faced with US President Donald Trump's threats to take control of Greenland in "good or bad," several European countries and NATO have said they are ready to deploy troops in the area to "maintain security in the Arctic."

Denmark has announced a number of surveillance exercises, which will involve a broad presence on the island, to which the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Finland and France, as well as other European countries such as Spain, have joined, but no decision has been taken.

Germanywill send an exploratory team to the island on Friday, along with other NATO members, to assess the chances of ensuring security in the face of alleged Russian and Chinese threats in the Arctic.

France's President Emmanuel Macron has stated that "in the next few days" his country will send "ground, air and sea resources" to Greenland, which will be added to the military that have arrived today to participate in the European mission.

Estoniahas stated that it is "cooperating" in the planning of the military exercises announced by Denmark and has ensured that it is prepared to send troops "if requested".

The Netherlands will send a Royal Navy officer to participate in a reconnaissance mission before NATO operates in the Arctic region, opening the door to the deployment of troops in the area.

For her part, the Spanish Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, has not ruled out Spain's involvement in the European military mission, but has called for "no anticipation of events".