Greenland is vital to U.S. national security, says top U.S. general in Europe

 

Russian submarine

General Christopher G. Cavoli, commander-in-chief of U.S. forces in Europe, said Greenland was "absolutely essential" to ensure U.S. national security. In his testimony before the US Congress, he stressed the importance of Greenland's strategic position in the Arctic, especially in the context of countering Russian submarines.

Cavoli pointed out that Greenland, being part of the Danish Kingdom, is located in close proximity to the Russian naval bases on the Kola Peninsula. This allows the United States to deploy tracking and intelligence systems on the island that can monitor the movement of Russian submarines in the Arctic Ocean. The general stressed that Greenland is a key point in the US strategy to ensure security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.

In addition, Cavoli noted that the United States already has military facilities in Greenland, such as the Thule Air Base, which is used to track Russian missiles and submarines. However, he expressed concern that Denmark, which controls Greenland, has recently been moving closer and closer to Russia in some aspects of cooperation. This could complicate U.S. access to strategic facilities on the island.

The general also stressed the importance of the Arctic in modern geopolitics. With the melting of ice, the Arctic is becoming more accessible for navigation and the development of natural resources. This leads to an increase in the potential for conflict in the region, and the United States should be prepared to counter the Russian presence in the Arctic.

Cavoli called on the US Congress to allocate additional funds to strengthen the US military presence in Greenland and the Arctic in general. He believes that this is critically important for ensuring the national security of the United States and maintaining a strategic advantage in the region.