Macron Says US Threat Over Greenland A 'Strategic Wake-Up Call' For Europe

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 18:48 IST

Speaking alongside the leaders of Denmark and Greenland, Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to Denmark and Greenland’s territorial integrity.

French President Emmanuel Macron, Denmark’s PM Mette Frederiksen (R) and Greenland PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen (L) speak to the press in Paris. (AFP photo)

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday called the standoff with the United States over Greenland as a “strategic wake‑up call for all of Europe," speaking alongside the leaders of Denmark and Greenland in Paris.

The tensions began after US President Donald Trump suggested seizing Greenland, prompting European powers to assert the importance of their sovereignty and ability to stand independently in defence and security matters.

Macron said Europe must focus on “asserting our European sovereignty, on our contribution to Arctic security, on the fight against foreign interference and disinformation, and on the fight against global warming."

Speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Premier Jens‑Frederik Nielsen, Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to Denmark and Greenland’s territorial integrity.

Using words in the Indigenous Greenlandic language before switching to Danish, he stressed that France would remain “side‑by‑side" with the Kingdom of Denmark.

Macron also stressed the importance of strengthening NATO engagement in the Arctic region, saying France would continue to defend these principles in line with the United Nations Charter.

Frederiksen, addressing the European audience at Sciences Po university, emphasised the urgent need for Europe to improve its defences to reduce reliance on the United States.

“I think rearming ourselves now is the most important thing," she said, noting that waiting until 2035 to increase defence spending would be too late.

The Danish leader also acknowledged Europe’s dependence on US intelligence and nuclear capabilities but stressed that the continent could do more than what is publicly perceived.

The Greenland standoff has sparked wider discussions on Europe’s military readiness. NATO members had agreed last year to raise defence spending to five percent of economic output by 2026, up from an earlier target of two percent by 2024, following pressure from the US.

Frederiksen criticised past reductions in military budgets, calling them a “big mistake."

(With inputs from AFP)

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