France has requested that NATO hold a military exercise in Greenland and has expressed its readiness to participate, the Élysée Palace announced, CNN reports.
Along with other European countries, France deployed a contingent of military personnel to Greenland over the past week to take part in a separate joint exercise led by Denmark.
These developments come at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified threats that he could forcibly annex the Arctic island. His remarks have raised questions about the decades-old European security alliance led by the United States, creating a tense backdrop for France’s recent actions.
What Is a NATO Military Exercise?
NATO exercises are authorized by NATO commanders and can vary widely in scale — from drills involving just a few officers to “full-scale exercises involving combat scenarios with aircraft, warships, artillery, armored vehicles, and thousands of troops,” according to NATO’s official website.
NATO member states contribute by providing troops, equipment, or other forms of support. “Participating countries generally finance their own national contributions,” NATO states.
Greenland Tensions Ahead of Davos
Trump’s trip to Davos is taking place amid rising tensions with European allies over his threats related to acquiring Greenland. As these tensions mount, the presidential aircraft Air Force One, carrying Donald Trump, was forced to return to base due to a minor electrical malfunction. Trump was en route to Davos and continued his journey on another aircraft an hour later.
The president said he has “many meetings” scheduled in Davos on the issue and suggested he could use tools other than tariffs to take control of the Arctic island.
Trump said he believes NATO “will be very happy” with the outcome and that the people of Greenland will be “thrilled” when he speaks with them, despite protests held on the island against a potential U.S. takeover.
French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized Trump’s foreign policy, warning of a world “where international law is being trampled.”
