In an effort to show European support for Denmark and its semi-autonomous, strategically important Arctic island of Greenland, which US President Donald Trump wants the US to take over, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived there today.
Macron is on his way to Canada, for the summit of the Group of Seven of the world's leading liberal democracies that begins tonight, where Trump will also be present.
Macron's office said his visit to Greenland underscores France's support for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, as enshrined in the UN Charter.
Macron is in Greenland to meet with Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Fredrik Nielsen.
The French president said last week that Greenland was not available for anyone to take, in what appeared to be a response to Trump.
Macron has positioned himself as Europe's leader amid Trump's threats to withdraw support for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion, and has hosted a summit on that and other security issues on the continent.
During his visit today, he will have the opportunity to discuss how to strengthen EU-Greenland relations in economic development, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and key minerals. Efforts to combat global warming will also be discussed, Macron's office said.
Macron, Fredriksen and Nielsen are meeting on a Danish helicopter carrier, indicating security concerns, the French president's office said.
Last week, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hinted that the Pentagon had developed plans for the US takeover of Greenland, as well as Panama, where the canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans is located, which the US claims.
Trump has previously said he would not rule out military force to take over Greenland, which he considers vital to US security in the north.
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that several senior US officials had briefed intelligence chiefs about the Greenland independence movement and their views on US exploitation of resources on the island, where the US has had a base since World War II.
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