France warns Greenland crisis could escalate into serious destabilisation for Denmark

A new and severe crisis over Greenland cannot be ruled out and may prove “very serious and highly destabilising” for the Kingdom of Denmark, France’s ambassador to Denmark told public broadcaster DR in an interview published Saturday.

Christophe Parisot’s warning follows a week in which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a congressional hearing, answered “So far” when asked whether he recognised Greenland as part of Denmark. The French envoy stressed that Paris would back Copenhagen “all the way” on the issue.

“This concerns the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” Parisot said. “France stands with Greenland and Denmark, no matter what happens. President Macron has said it before, and I repeat: whatever Denmark requests, France is ready to put on the table.”

His remarks come as former US President Donald Trump—now the presumptive Republican nominee—reignited Danish and Greenlandic concerns by reposting a collage on Truth Social showing him towering over a Greenlandic settlement with the caption “Hello, Greenland!” It was the second time Trump had shared the image, which first appeared during his 2019 expression of interest in purchasing the territory.

Parisot urged all parties to respect the outcome of the high-level working group—comprising senior officials from Greenland, Denmark, and the US—currently negotiating the territory’s status. “We must hope this process leads to fewer tensions and solutions that do not harm Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, Europe, or NATO,” he said. “All these institutions and partnerships are at stake.”

France has repeatedly affirmed its support for Danish sovereignty over Greenland, particularly as Denmark forms a new government. “We are ready,” Parisot said. “France has engaged in Greenland with concrete resources and a very clear political and diplomatic message: no. This is European territory.” He noted he had made eight working visits to Greenland—some alongside Macron—since the crisis began.

Asked why France was so invested in the issue, Parisot called it “both tactical and instinctive.” “We immediately understood what was at stake, and there was a natural demand for solidarity with Denmark. It wasn’t up for discussion. Denmark is our ally. Denmark is our friend. If a friend is threatened, you stand by their side.”

Strategically, he added, the Arctic “is no longer a low-conflict zone—it has become contested. Tensions have grown significantly.” France, an observer in the Arctic Council with overseas territories of its own, “knows what it means to have territories far from the mainland.”

Looking ahead, Parisot identified two major challenges for Denmark’s incoming government: sustaining its “pro-European shift” and further investing in defence. While Europe had made progress toward “strategic autonomy”—Macron’s long-standing push for reduced reliance on the US and China—“we cannot do without America,” he acknowledged. “NATO remains the cornerstone of Europe’s security.”

Still, he argued the EU was now better prepared for crises than in the past. “For many years, we were reactive—waiting for crises and struggling to anticipate them. Today, we have mechanisms to foresee and respond. Are we ready for the next big shock? I hope so. One thing is certain: we are better prepared than before.”