Macron: France to send more forces to Greenland

Reinforcements already underway

“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 said during a New Year address to troops.

Upholding territorial sovereignty

Macron emphasised the importance of European presence in strategic regions: “France and the Europeans must continue to be present wherever their interests are threatened — without escalation, but uncompromising when it comes to respect for territorial sovereignty.”

European mission responds to Arctic threats

Earlier Thursday, Germany said the European mission to Greenland aimed “to explore options for ensuring security in light of Russian and Chinese threats in the Arctic.”

Macron links action to global instability

Macron spoke amid Europe’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine and rising tensions in the Middle East, including US consideration of strikes in Iran over a crackdown on protesters. He stressed the need to boost France’s defense capabilities in a world facing “the return of destabilising powers” such as Russia, Iran, and what he called “a new colonialism at work among a few.”

Major defense budget expansion

Macron announced that 41 billion will be added to France’s defense budget by 2030, on top of the 413 billion euros already allocated for 2024–2030.

Power and deterrence

“To remain free, you must be feared. To be feared, you must be powerful,” Macron said. “And to be powerful in this brutal world, you have to move faster and hit harder.”