Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. The three parties reached a consensus that in the face of the increasingly aggressive economic presence of China and Russia, it is necessary to strengthen defense and surveillance in the Arctic region.
During the joint press conference after the meeting, the three leaders outlined the defense posture in the Arctic region. Macron emphasized the importance of strengthening the defense posture in the Arctic, given Russia’s position in the far north and China’s economic penetration. France, Denmark, and Greenland believe it is essential to enhance defense readiness in the region. France supports NATO in increasing vigilance in the area and is “ready to participate” in related military actions.
Greenland Prime Minister Nielsen stated that there are “red lines” in discussions with the United States, but he acknowledged the urgent need for more monitoring and security in Greenland, citing the current behavior of Russia. He emphasized the serious pressure Greenland is facing.
Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen mentioned that the world order has undergone permanent changes, and Europe must become stronger and reduce its reliance on the United States. She called for unity among transatlantic allies as Russia is not seeking peace. She warned that if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, they will continue expanding.
In response to the trilateral meeting in Paris, US President Trump quickly responded on social media, implying that France cannot save Greenland, and Europe cannot even defend itself, emphasizing that only the strength of the United States can prevent China and Russia from occupying that land.
Trump reiterated last week at Davos that acquiring Greenland is a strategic necessity for “national security and world security.” He believes that Denmark cannot withstand the expansion of China and Russia in the Arctic alone, advocating for taking full ownership to implement long-term defense planning.
Despite his hardline stance, Trump expressed a preference for negotiating a framework agreement rather than using force. He announced the withdrawal of tariff punitive measures on European countries last week to further discuss a “future agreement framework” with NATO.
While the Paris meeting emphasized European autonomy, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte cautioned in a speech at the European Parliament this week that it is unrealistic for Europe to defend itself or protect Greenland without the United States. He emphasized the interdependence between Europe and the United States.
Rutte believes that Trump’s calls for Europe to take on more defense responsibilities and focus on the strategic security of the Arctic are logically sound.
In response to the trilateral meeting in Paris, Russia quickly reacted on Wednesday. Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin warned in an interview with TASS that if NATO continues to militarize Greenland, Russia will be forced to take “military-technical measures” to safeguard its security.
Russia emphasized that half of the land in the Arctic region belongs to Russia and has reopened and modernized military bases dating back to the Soviet era since 2005 to ensure territorial security.
(This article references reports from Reuters, among others)