France Backs Defence Reinforcement in the Arctic, Macron Says
Paris Telegraph, Paris — 28 January 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron announced today that France is firmly supporting efforts to reinforce defence capabilities in the Arctic, underscoring the strategic importance of the Far North amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Speaking ahead of high-level talks in Paris with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Mr Macron stressed that evolving military and economic activities in the region demand a stronger Western presence. “Given Russia’s stance in the Far North, China’s economic presence, and the strategic consequences of this rapprochement, we agree on the need to strengthen our defence posture in the Arctic,” he said, highlighting shared concerns about regional stability and security.
The announcement comes as European capitals coordinate closely with Copenhagen and Nuuk against an increasingly assertive Russia and expanding influence from Beijing, while also responding to recent diplomatic pressures from Washington over Arctic affairs.
Strategic Context and European Solidarity
Denmark and Greenland leaders are visiting key European allies in Berlin and Paris this week to discuss defence cooperation and broader security challenges triggered by recent U.S. interest in Greenland’s strategic position. European leaders, including Mr Macron, have repeatedly affirmed solidarity with Danish sovereignty and Greenland’s territorial integrity.
The push for heightened defence cooperation in the Arctic reflects a broader European effort to reduce strategic dependency and enhance collective capabilities in areas of emerging geopolitical competition — from the Arctic to the broader North Atlantic.
France has already taken tangible steps in recent weeks, including participating in Operation Arctic Endurance — a multinational NATO exercise in Greenland involving allied forces — and deploying troops and aerial assets adapted for polar conditions.
Macron on Europe’s Role
President Macron framed France’s stance as part of a wider European responsibility to contribute meaningfully to defence and deterrence. “In an era where global order is under pressure, Europe must show it can defend itself and its partners,” officials quoted him as saying.
As the meeting in Paris unfolds, diplomats and defence officials are expected to outline concrete measures to deepen cooperation on Arctic surveillance, military training, and infrastructure — moves that analysts say could reshape European security postures in the High North.
Reporting by Paris Telegraph with agency sources
