French President Emmanuel Macron has convened an emergency meeting of defense officials in Paris to discuss US President Donald Trump's intention to buy Greenland and measures to crack down on nationwide protests in Iran.
In a message posted on social network X, Mr. Macron said that the first group of French soldiers had set off for Greenland to participate in the exercises organized by Denmark and Greenland.
Mr. Macron emphasized that France participates in these joint operations at the request of Denmark. He said that the first French military units have departed and other forces will continue to be deployed in the near future.
This move takes place in the context that many allied countries such as Germany, Norway and Sweden have also begun sending troops to Greenland to show support for Copenhagen and Nuuk.
According to published information, the deployment of forces took place after a sensitive meeting between US, Danish and Greenland officials. The meeting showed that there are still fundamental differences, even difficult to reconcile, between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk about the future of Greenland.
French Ambassador to the Arctic region Olivier Poivre d'Arvor said that the soldiers deployed to Greenland are specialized forces operating in high mountainous terrain. The first deployment consists of about 15 soldiers, tasked with supporting preparations for the exercise called Operation Arctic Endurance.
President Macron is expected to deliver a New Year's speech to the French armed forces on the same day, as Paris intensifies military and diplomatic activities related to security developments that are attracting international attention.
