France will send military forces to Greenland at the request of Denmark, President Emmanuel Macron announced, as European allies step up their presence in the Arctic amid escalating rhetoric from US President Donald Trump over the strategic island.
In a statement published on Thursday, Macron said an advance unit of French forces was already en route, with additional troops set to follow. The deployment will see France join other European partners in military exercises on the Arctic island, which holds growing geopolitical and security importance.
Germany’s defence ministry also confirmed it would send military personnel to Greenland, describing the move as exploratory and aimed at assessing potential contributions to regional security in support of Denmark.
Macron said France would take part in joint drills organised by Denmark under the name Operation Arctic Resilience, adding that Sweden and Norway have also confirmed their participation. The exercises are intended to strengthen coordination among NATO allies and enhance preparedness in the challenging Arctic environment.
Greenland enjoys a high degree of self-rule but remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a member of the NATO alliance. The island has increasingly attracted international attention due to its strategic location and natural resources.
Trump intensified his comments on Greenland on Wednesday, stating on his Truth Social platform that the island should be under US control, adding that any alternative would be unacceptable.
Macron addressed the issue during a government briefing on Wednesday, warning that any challenge to the sovereignty of a European ally would carry unprecedented consequences. He stressed that France is closely monitoring developments and will act in full solidarity with Denmark as tensions in the Arctic continue to rise.
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