Amid the growing dispute over the future of Greenland, Polish authorities are declaring caution and calm. Poland officially has no plans to send its troops to Greenland, despite several NATO countries having decided to send small contingents there as part of the "Arctic Endurance" exercise. The eight countries issued a joint statement emphasizing their support for Denmark's sovereignty and Greenland's territorial integrity, and their opposition to the threat of tariffs that could harm transatlantic relations.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk assured that Poland has no intention of committing its troops to the Arctic, arguing that this is neither the time nor the place to analyze the consequences of a potential American military intervention. He argued that the conflict between Denmark and the US should remain diplomatic and not escalate into military action that could challenge NATO principles. Tusk also emphasized the need for European solidarity, although he added that Poland sees no need for any "emotional reaction" to the situation surrounding Greenland. The role of NATO and cooperation with the United States as the foundations of Poland's security were also emphasized. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' request, the Polish ambassador to Denmark traveled to Greenland to assess the situation and understand the tensions on the ground. Foreign Minister Sikorski emphasized that Poland should advocate for a world with clear international norms and the right of smaller states to determine their own futures. Poland's historical experience underpinned this position. President Karol Nawrocki also addressed the growing crisis in Greenland, emphasizing both the region's geopolitical importance and the need to resolve the dispute through diplomacy and partnerships. In media statements and during his visit to London, he emphasized that the issue of Greenland's status should be resolved through dialogue between the United States and Denmark, to avoid an escalation of the conflict that could threaten NATO cohesion and international security. He also pointed to the island's strategic value in the context of great-power rivalry and competition with Russia and China, and emphasized that responsibility for the security of the free world rests primarily with NATO, with the United States as a key ally.

Reactions from experts and commentators were also mixed, though more decisive and heated than those of politicians. Some experts criticized the government's decision not to engage militarily in Greenland. Poland's lack of presence in European countries' actions could weaken the country's position within the alliance and in Europe. At the same time, there are opposing voices that any Polish participation in Greenland operations could provoke a reaction from the United States, which is perceived as the main guarantor of Poland's security, particularly in conflicts with Russia.

The dispute over Greenland is a signal of changing global security realities. The Arctic is becoming a zone of intense strategic competition, and the developments of recent weeks highlight a basic fact: the United States remains the only Western power capable of effective power projection. Whether one likes it or not, American military strength remains the foundation of Western security. At the same time, the United States is gradually losing its greatest asset—the alliance system. For decades, networks of political, military, and economic partnerships have been the primary instrument of American influence worldwide. The United States cannot fight on behalf of everyone, but it also cannot afford to confront everyone at once. The situation surrounding Greenland also exposes Europe’s weakness. For years, European countries have neglected their own defense capabilities, replacing them with declarations and symbolic politics. The lack of real military capacity across much of Europe is no longer a political issue; it has become a security problem.

For Poland, this is a crucial lesson. In the new strategic environment, alliances are necessary but insufficient. Security must rest on national capabilities: defense industry, logistics, operational readiness, and credible deterrence. The era of strategic comfort that Europe has grown accustomed to over the past decades is coming to an end.

Source, Łukasz Wojdyga,

Director of the Center for Strategic

Studies Warsaw Enterprise Institute

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