NUUK — Von der Leyen signed an EU-Greenland declaration with Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Nielsen is the first member of the Democrats party to hold the office of prime minister of Greenland. The funding aims to help Greenland tackle climate change, boost internet connections, improve hydropower plants, fisheries, and education. Funds are also earmarked for better housing, support to small businesses, and sustainable tourism.

"This partnership package focuses mainly on three domains, or strategic priorities. We call them the big Cs: connectivity, clean energy [and] critical raw materials," von der Leyen said. She noted that the EU signed a project that will boost satellite capacities in the country.

The result will be felt by communities in the Northern part of Greenland that will have better and faster access to the Internet. Greenland has partnered with the EU on a project titled 'Connecting Greenland, Together' to ensure access to secure and stable internet access in remote areas.

"Greenland’s future is for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide. No one else," von der Leyen said. She emphasized that territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the inviolability of borders are fundamental principles of international law.

"Greenland can count on the EU," she added. "The EU stands in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. We will continue to do so."

"As the ice melts, a new reality is taking shape. New trade routes, new security risks, new environmental concerns. Europe stands with Greenland. We will navigate these changes together," von der Leyen said in a post on social media.

She recalled that during previous interactions, the message given to her was to make visits substantive and deliver real results rather than allowing them to be symbolic. Nielsen expressed gratitude for the continued partnership. "The European Union continues to be, not only an important partner for Greenland, but also a loyal and trusted friend," he said. "Through these challenging times, your support to us is unfailing. You have stood by us and continue to stand by us. We feel it and are deeply grateful. Thank you." Frederiksen also acknowledged the support received.

"We have been under pressure. It has been very clear, and we are very thankful for the great support we have received from our European partners but, by the way, also globally," she said.

Eleven NATO countries began military exercises in Greenland on September 7, 2026, involving around 400 military personnel. The Arctic Shield drills include special forces troops from Canada, Denmark, and Finland. No U.S. troops are participating in the Arctic Shield drills, which run from September 7 to September 18, 2026.

This follows earlier movements in January when Denmark and seven European allies sent military personnel to Greenland for exercises focused on strengthening Arctic security and showing support for Greenland’s sovereignty. Greenland is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark.

In late January 2026, Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a framework for future discussions regarding Greenland. A working group of representatives from the U.S. Denmark, and Greenland has been meeting to discuss the way forward regarding Greenland's status. The EU has previously invested 372 million euros into Arctic research through Horizon and 273 million euros through Interreg.

Von der Leyen opened the European Commission's office in Nuuk in March 2024. Greenland left the European bloc in 1985.

Why It Matters

The announcement reinforces the European Union's strategic engagement in the Arctic as geopolitical and environmental conditions shift. By committing 200 million euros immediately and proposing a budget increase for the 2028-2034 period, the EU seeks to solidify its role as a primary partner for Greenland in connectivity, energy, and resource development. The parallel military exercises involving NATO allies, excluding the United States, show the complex security dynamics in the region as multiple powers seek to strengthen their presence and influence.

The declaration signed by von der Leyen, Nielsen, and Frederiksen supports the legal and political framework governing Greenland's status as a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. While external actors, including the United States, have initiated discussions regarding Greenland's future, EU leadership has explicitly affirmed that decisions rest solely with Greenland and Denmark. This stance aligns with broader international principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, positioning the EU as a stabilizing force as new trade routes and security risks emerge from climate change.

Timeline

Denmark and seven European allies sent military personnel to Greenland in January for exercises focused on strengthening Arctic security and showing support for Greenland’s sovereignty. Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a framework for future discussions regarding Greenland in late January 2026.

On September 7, 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a 200 million euro ($232 million) investment package for Greenland during a visit to Nuuk. During the same visit, von der Leyen stated she wants to double EU budget support to Greenland to around 500 million euros ($580 million) starting in 2028. She declared, "The EU stands in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. We will continue to do so." She also stated, "This partnership package focuses mainly on three domains, or strategic priorities. We call them the big Cs: connectivity, clean energy [and] critical raw materials."

What's New

Statements released alongside the announcement include von der Leyen's assertion that "The EU stands in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. We will continue to do so." She also detailed that "This partnership package focuses mainly on three domains, or strategic priorities. We call them the big Cs: connectivity, clean energy [and] critical raw materials." Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated, "The European Union continues to be, not only an important partner for Greenland, but also a loyal and trusted friend." Von der Leyen posted, "As the ice melts, a new reality is taking shape. New trade routes, new security risks, new environmental concerns. Europe stands with Greenland. We will navigate these changes together."

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on specific details regarding the European Commission. The European Commission press conference reported that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a 200 million euro ($232 million) investment package for Greenland during a visit to Nuuk on September 7, 2026.