French FM states country possibly to send troops to Greenland
Date
1/31/2025 11:29:33 PM
(MENAFN) French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has stated that France would be open to sending troops to Greenland, following ongoing tensions between Denmark and the United States over the Arctic island. The dispute began when US President Donald trump suggested purchasing Greenland during his first term and revisited the idea after regaining power this year, citing the island’s strategic importance for US national security. Denmark, which governs the autonomous territory, has firmly rejected the notion that Greenland is for sale.
In an interview with Sud Radio, Barrot confirmed that France had initiated discussions with Denmark about potential troop deployment, although he acknowledged that Copenhagen is not currently seeking such assistance. He emphasized that if Denmark requests support, France would be ready to help, asserting that European borders—whether in the north, south, east, or west—are sovereign, and any threat to them would not be tolerated.
At a recent EU foreign ministers’ meeting, other EU members also expressed solidarity with Denmark, signaling willingness to consider troop deployments if needed. Barrot expressed confidence that the US would not resort to forcibly taking over Greenland, stating, “people don’t invade EU territories.”
Over the weekend, General Robert Brieger, chairman of the EU Military Committee, suggested that it might be logical to not only station US forces in Greenland, as has been the case since the 1940s, but also consider the possibility of deploying EU troops there in the future. He highlighted the strategic importance of the region amid rising geopolitical tensions with Russia and China, exacerbated by climate change and melting polar ice caps.
Brieger also noted that while Greenland is not part of the EU, the bloc has significant interests in the island, particularly due to its abundant natural resources and its key position along global trade routes. He expressed confidence that the US would honor the territorial integrity of other nations and adhere to the UN Charter.
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