France Draws A Line On Greenland As Trump’s Threats Rattle Europe

France has stepped firmly into the growing international unease around Greenland, offering clear backing to Denmark after renewed threats from US President Donald Trump about taking control of the Arctic territory.

Speaking on French television, a foreign ministry spokesperson delivered a blunt message that echoed across Europe. Borders cannot be changed by force, and Greenland’s future is not for Washington to decide.

France Backs Danish Sovereignty

France made it clear that Greenland remains the responsibility of its people and Denmark, not an outside power. The Arctic island, which is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has long governed its own internal affairs, while Copenhagen oversees defence and foreign policy.

According to Paris, any suggestion that Greenland could simply be absorbed into another country runs directly against international law. The French government stressed that only Greenlanders and Danes have the right to determine what happens to the territory.

Why Greenland Keeps Coming Up

Trump’s renewed focus on Greenland has reopened an issue that first surfaced during his earlier presidency, when he floated the idea of buying the island outright. At the time, the suggestion was widely mocked in Europe but quietly worried defence planners.

Greenland’s strategic value is no joke. Its position in the Arctic makes it vital for military surveillance, emerging shipping routes and access to rare earth minerals. As global interest in the Arctic intensifies, so too does anxiety about power plays in the region.

Venezuela Raises New Alarm Bells

France’s response was also shaped by recent US military action in Venezuela, where Washington carried out an operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. While Paris stopped short of defending Maduro, it openly criticised the method.

French officials said international law had not been respected during the intervention, warning that such actions feed fears of a world where might overrides rules. For European leaders, the link is clear. If force can be justified in one part of the world, it raises uncomfortable questions elsewhere, including in the Arctic.

A Warning From Paris

France acknowledged that global politics appear to be shifting towards what it described as the law of the strongest. Still, it insisted that permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have a responsibility to call out violations of the UN Charter, even when allies are involved.

That message has resonated widely on social media, where many European users praised France for pushing back publicly. Others questioned whether words alone will be enough if tensions continue to rise.

For now, France’s stance sends a clear signal. Greenland is not a bargaining chip, and Europe is not prepared to stay silent when its borders and principles are put under pressure.

{Source:EWN}

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