France is set to conduct military drills in Greenland in the wake of tensions between the U.S. and Denmark over the territory.
“At the request of Denmark, I have decided that France will participate in the joint exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland, Operation Arctic Endurance. The first French military elements are already on their way. Others will follow,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on the social platform X on Wednesday.
The Danish Defense Ministry said Wednesday that the country is bolstering its military presence in and close to Greenland due to widened NATO military exercises. Aircraft, naval vessels and soldiers are going to be sent to the Arctic territory, according to the defense ministry.
Calls from Denmark and Greenland for the Trump administration to stop talking about acquiring Greenland were shot down by Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a Wednesday meeting at the White House.
There was a “fundamental disagreement” between the U.S. and the other two countries, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in the wake of the meeting.
Early Wednesday, President Trump said that anything but American ownership of Greenland would be “unacceptable.”
“The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of National Security. It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building. NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!” Trump wrote.
The president’s threats targeting Greenland came into the spotlight again following the American operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump has often discussed acquiring Greenland, which has many mineral resources and a strategic location that could boost American national security.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.