Rising Geopolitical Tensions in the Arctic: The Struggle for Greenland’s Sovereignty
Barrot firmly stated: “If Denmark asks for help, France will be there,” emphasizing that “European borders are sovereign” and that no one should interfere with them. Jan 28, 2025 Photo: EFE
January 28, 2025 Hour: 5:42 pm
At an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday, member states expressed “very strong support” for Denmark, although no concrete measures were agreed upon.
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Denmark to Strengthen Arctic Defence Amid U.S. Interets in Greenland
Geopolitical tension in the Arctic reached a new level on Tuesday after France announced its readiness to send troops to Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex the island.
This move comes against a backdrop of growing concern for Danish sovereignty and the strategic interest that Greenland represents, especially regarding natural resources and sea routes.
The announcement was made by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot at a press conference in Paris, shortly after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met with European leaders to build support against what Copenhagen sees as an unprecedented threat.
Barrot firmly stated: “If Denmark asks for help, France will be there,” emphasizing that “European borders are sovereign” and that no one should interfere with them.
Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland has alarmed Denmark, which manages the island’s foreign and defense policy.
Despite the U.S. president’s insinuations that he might use military force or economic measures to claim the island, Barrot dismissed the credibility of a possible invasion scenario, stating that “people do not invade EU territory.”
Frederiksen’s trip to Berlin and Paris aims to secure backing from European leaders, and her upcoming meeting in Brussels with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will be crucial in defining the alliance’s stance on this challenge.
At an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday, member states expressed “very strong support” for Denmark, although no concrete measures were agreed upon.
Despite minimizing the risk of invasion, Greenland’s small population and its status as an associated territory to Denmark make it a crucial symbol for European cohesion in a global context where competition for resources is increasingly intense.
This episode highlights the fragility of the geopolitical balance in the Arctic and the urgent need for a unified response from Europe to threats against its sovereignty.
Autor: MLM
Fuente: Político - Le Monde
