French President Macron: Europe must assert sovereignty and strengthen Arctic security

“This is a strategic wake-up call for all of Europe” French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Wednesday, 28 January, as he hosted Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s premier, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, in Paris to reaffirm France’s support for Greenland’s sovereignty.

Speaking alongside the visiting leaders, Macron said Europe must strengthen its role in Arctic security, assert sovereignty, counter foreign interference, and tackle climate change.

He emphasised that France would stand “side-by-side” with the “Kingdom of Denmark,” switching between Greenlandic and Danish during his remarks.

The summit comes amid heightened U.S. interest in Greenland, which sparked tensions over the island’s strategic importance in the Arctic. 

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stressed that “red lines” could not be crossed in discussions with the United States, while acknowledging the need for increased surveillance and security in the region when faced with a more assertive Russia.

Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen highlighted the importance of transatlantic cooperation, saying, “The best way forward for the U.S. [and] Europe is to stick together. We share concerns on Arctic security."

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Frederiksen also added that Russia "does not want peace with Europe."

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also weighed in, urging Europe to take a bigger role in defence and NATO, warning that U.S. actions under President Donald Trump have “shaken the transatlantic relationship to its foundation” and underscoring that Europe must adapt to new geopolitical realities.

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