France to reinforce troops in Greenland amid Arctic tensions

ISTRES, Jan 15 — France will send additional forces to a European military exercise in Greenland, President Emmanuel Macron announced, as tensions rise over the territory's sovereignty following U.S. threats to seize it.

"A first team of French service members is already on site and will be reinforced in the coming days with land, air, and maritime assets," Macron told troops.

He said France and Europeans must be present wherever their interests are threatened, while respecting territorial sovereignty.

Germany said the European mission aims to explore security options due to Russian and Chinese threats in the Arctic.

Macron spoke as the war in Ukraine continues and the U.S. has not ruled out military strikes in Iran.

He said France must boost defence capabilities against destabilising powers like Russia and Iran.

Macron announced an additional 36 billion euros for defence until 2030, on top of 413 billion euros already allocated.

"To remain free, you must be feared. To be powerful in this brutal world, you have to move faster and hit harder," he said.

The announcement follows Washington's threat to seize Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, amid growing geopolitical competition in the Arctic region.

European nations are increasingly coordinating military responses to address security challenges from Russia and China in the resource-rich Arctic.