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Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Macron rejects Trump's idea for Putin to mediate Israel-Iran crisis
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to members of media as he arrives at Nuuk Airport in Nuuk, Greenland, June 15, 2025. Ritzau Scanpix/Mads Claus Rasmussen/via REUTERS PARIS/COPENHAGEN - French President Emmanuel Macron, during a visit to Greenland to offer his support to the Arctic island, said on Sunday that Russia lacked the credibility to mediate the crisis between Israel and Iran as U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested. In an interview with ABC News on Sunday, Trump said he was open to Putin, whose forces invaded Ukraine and who has resisted Trump's attempts to broker a ceasefire with Kyiv, mediating between Israel and Iran. Macron said he rejected such an idea. "I do not believe that Russia, which is now engaged in a high-intensity conflict and has decided not to respect the UN Charter for several years now, can be a mediator," Macron said. He also said France did not take part in any of Israel's attacks against Iran. Macron was visiting Greenland, a self-governing part of Denmark with the right to declare independence that Trump has threatened to take over, ahead of a trip to Canada for the Group of Seven Leaders' summit. In a press conference alongside Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Macron said the island was threatened by "predatory ambition," and that its situation was a wakeup call for all Europeans. "Greenland is not to be sold, not to be taken," he said, adding that he has spoken with Trump ahead of his trip, and would speak with him about Greenland at the G7. "I think there is a way forward in order to clearly build a better future in cooperation and not in provocation or confrontation." However, Macron said he ultimately doubted the United States would invade Greenland. "I don't believe that in the end, the US, which is an ally and a friend, will ever do something aggressive against another ally," he said, adding he believed "the United States of America remains engaged in NATO and our key and historical alliances." Trump has said he wants the United States to take over the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island, and has not ruled out force. His vice president, JD Vance, visited a U.S. military base there in March. Macron is the first foreign leader to visit Greenland since Trump's explicit threats to "get" the island. According to an IFOP poll for published on Saturday, 77% of French people and 56% of Americans disapprove of an annexation of Greenland by the U.S. and 43% of the French would back using French military power to prevent a U.S. invasion. Denmark's Frederiksen made several visits to Paris after Trump's threats to seek French and European backing, and has placed orders for French-made surface-to-air missiles, in a shift of focus for Copenhagen. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Macron criticises Trump's threats to annex Greenland during visit
French President Emmanuel Macron (centre) is welcomed by Danish PM Mette Frederiksen (left) and Greenlandic PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen as he arrives at Nuuk Airport in Nuuk, Greenland. PHOTO: AFP NUUK - French President Emmanuel Macron on June 15 criticised US President Donald Trump's threats to annex Greenland, as he made a visit to the Danish autonomous territory. 'That's not what allies do,' Mr Macron said as he arrived in Nuuk, Greenland's capital. Mr Macron is the first foreign head of state to visit the vast territory – at the crossroads of the Atlantic and the Arctic – since Mr Trump's annexation threats. Mr Trump, since returning to the White House in January, has repeatedly said America needs the strategically located, resource-rich island for security reasons, and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it. Denmark has also repeatedly stressed that Greenland 'is not for sale'. Mr Macron said his visit was aimed at conveying 'France's and the European Union's solidarity' for 'the sovereignty and territorial integrity' of Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and dozens of Greenlanders waving their territory's red-and-white flags, were on hand to greet the French president. Mr Macron kicked off his six-hour visit with talks on board a Danish frigate with Ms Frederiksen and Mr Nielsen. He then visited a glacier to see firsthand the effects of global warming. Mr Macron's trip to Greenland was 'a signal in itself, made at the request of Danish and Greenlandic authorities', his office said ahead of the trip. 'Not for sale' The Danish invitation to Mr Macron contrasts sharply with the reception granted to US Vice-President J.D. Vance, whose one-day trip to Greenland in March was seen as a provocation by both Nuuk and Copenhagen. During his visit to the US Pituffik military base, Mr Vance castigated Denmark for not having 'done a good job by the people of Greenland', alleging they had neglected security. The Pituffik base is an essential part of Washington's missile defence infrastructure, its location putting it on the shortest route for missiles fired from Russia at the United States. Polls indicate that the vast majority of Greenland's 57,000 inhabitants want to become independent from Denmark – but do not wish to become part of the United States. Unlike Denmark, Greenland is not part of the European Union but is on the list of Overseas Territories associated with the bloc. The Arctic has gained geostrategic importance as the race for rare earths heats up and as melting ice caused by global warming opens up new shipping routes. Copenhagen in January announced a US$2 billion (S$2.6 billion) plan to boost its military presence in the Arctic region. Nato also plans to set up a Combined Air Operations Centre (Caoc) in Norway above the Arctic Circle, as Russia aims to bolster its military presence in the region. During his visit, Mr Macron was to discuss Arctic security and how to include the territory in 'European action' to contribute to its development, while 'respecting its sovereignty', his office said. French President Emmanuel Macron (centre) walks on the glacier Mont Nunatarsuaq flanked by Danish PM Mette Frederiksen (left) and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. PHOTO: AFP Mount Nunatarsuaq Mr Macron later took a helicopter tour of a glacier on Mount Nunatarsuaq, about 30km from Nuuk. The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, according to a 2022 study in scientific journal Nature. Greenland's ice sheet melted 17 times faster than the historical average during a May 15-21 heatwave, a recent report showed. From the helicopter, Mr Macron was able to observe a sea of fissured ice as far as the eye could see. He also took a walking tour on a rocky, grey stretch of land until recently covered in ice, a changing landscape which is having a major impact on local communities, the Greenlandic prime minister explained. Measuring 9,000 sq km, the Nuuk fjord system is one of the biggest in the world. France intends to 'massively reinvest in the knowledge of these ecosystems,' following in the footsteps of famed French explorer Paul-Emile Victor who carried out multiple expeditions to Greenland, Mr Macron's office said. Greenlandic authorities recently designated Victor's hut, built in 1950 in Quervain Bay in the north, as a historic structure. Mr Macron was to leave Greenland on June 15 evening to fly on to Canada for a G-7 meeting. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Glasgow Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Macron visits Greenland to show European support for strategic Arctic island
Mr Macron reiterated his criticism of Mr Trump's intention to take control of the territory. 'I don't think that's something to be done between allies,' he said as he was greeted at the Nuuk airport by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at Nuuk Airport in Nuuk, Greenland (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Scanpix via AP) 'It's important to show that Denmark and Europe are committed to this territory, which has very high strategic stakes and whose territorial integrity must be respected,' Mr Macron said. He was making a stop on his way to a summit of the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations in Canada that will also be attended by Mr Trump. Mr Macron, who is visiting Greenland for the first time, said: 'It means a lot to me … to convey a message of friendship and solidarity from France and the European Union to help this territory face the different challenges: economic development, education, as well as the consequences of climate change.' In a speech last week at the UN Ocean Conference, Mr Macron also mentioned Greenland and the deep seas, saying they are not 'up for grabs' in remarks that appeared directed largely at Mr Trump. Mr Macron, in recent months, has sought to reinvigorate France's role as the diplomatic and economic heavyweight of the 27-nation European Union. The French president has positioned himself as a leader in Europe amid Mr Trump's threats to pull support from Ukraine as it fights against Russia's invasion. Mr Macron hosted a summit in Paris with other European heads of state to discuss Kyiv, as well as security issues on the continent. The French president has positioned himself as a leader in Europe amid Trump's threats to pull support from Ukraine as it fights against Russia's invasion (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sunday's visit will also be the occasion to discuss how to enhance relations between the EU and Greenland further when it comes to economic development, low-carbon energy transition and critical minerals. The leaders will also have exchanges on efforts to curb global warming, according to Mr Macron's office. Later Sunday, Mr Macron, Mr Frederiksen and Mr Nielsen held a meeting on a Danish helicopter carrier, showing France's concerns over security issues in the region. Last week, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by force if necessary, but refused to answer repeated questions during a hotly combative congressional hearing on Thursday about his use of Signal chats to discuss military operations. Mr Hegseth's comments were the latest controversial remarks made by a member of the Trump administration about the Arctic island. The president himself has said he won't rule out military force to take over Greenland, which he considers vital to American security in the high north. The Wall Street Journal last month reported that several high-ranking officials under the US director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, had directed intelligence agency heads to learn more about Greenland's independence movement and sentiment about US resource extraction there. Mr Nielsen said that US statements about the island have been disrespectful and that Greenland 'will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone'.
South Wales Argus
16 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Macron visits Greenland to show European support for strategic Arctic island
Mr Macron reiterated his criticism of Mr Trump's intention to take control of the territory. 'I don't think that's something to be done between allies,' he said as he was greeted at the Nuuk airport by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at Nuuk Airport in Nuuk, Greenland (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Scanpix via AP) 'It's important to show that Denmark and Europe are committed to this territory, which has very high strategic stakes and whose territorial integrity must be respected,' Mr Macron said. He was making a stop on his way to a summit of the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations in Canada that will also be attended by Mr Trump. Mr Macron, who is visiting Greenland for the first time, said: 'It means a lot to me … to convey a message of friendship and solidarity from France and the European Union to help this territory face the different challenges: economic development, education, as well as the consequences of climate change.' In a speech last week at the UN Ocean Conference, Mr Macron also mentioned Greenland and the deep seas, saying they are not 'up for grabs' in remarks that appeared directed largely at Mr Trump. Mr Macron, in recent months, has sought to reinvigorate France's role as the diplomatic and economic heavyweight of the 27-nation European Union. The French president has positioned himself as a leader in Europe amid Mr Trump's threats to pull support from Ukraine as it fights against Russia's invasion. Mr Macron hosted a summit in Paris with other European heads of state to discuss Kyiv, as well as security issues on the continent. The French president has positioned himself as a leader in Europe amid Trump's threats to pull support from Ukraine as it fights against Russia's invasion (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sunday's visit will also be the occasion to discuss how to enhance relations between the EU and Greenland further when it comes to economic development, low-carbon energy transition and critical minerals. The leaders will also have exchanges on efforts to curb global warming, according to Mr Macron's office. Later Sunday, Mr Macron, Mr Frederiksen and Mr Nielsen held a meeting on a Danish helicopter carrier, showing France's concerns over security issues in the region. Last week, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by force if necessary, but refused to answer repeated questions during a hotly combative congressional hearing on Thursday about his use of Signal chats to discuss military operations. Mr Hegseth's comments were the latest controversial remarks made by a member of the Trump administration about the Arctic island. The president himself has said he won't rule out military force to take over Greenland, which he considers vital to American security in the high north. The Wall Street Journal last month reported that several high-ranking officials under the US director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, had directed intelligence agency heads to learn more about Greenland's independence movement and sentiment about US resource extraction there. Mr Nielsen said that US statements about the island have been disrespectful and that Greenland 'will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone'.
Western Telegraph
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Macron visits Greenland to show European support for strategic Arctic island
Mr Macron reiterated his criticism of Mr Trump's intention to take control of the territory. 'I don't think that's something to be done between allies,' he said as he was greeted at the Nuuk airport by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at Nuuk Airport in Nuuk, Greenland (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Scanpix via AP) 'It's important to show that Denmark and Europe are committed to this territory, which has very high strategic stakes and whose territorial integrity must be respected,' Mr Macron said. He was making a stop on his way to a summit of the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations in Canada that will also be attended by Mr Trump. Mr Macron, who is visiting Greenland for the first time, said: 'It means a lot to me … to convey a message of friendship and solidarity from France and the European Union to help this territory face the different challenges: economic development, education, as well as the consequences of climate change.' In a speech last week at the UN Ocean Conference, Mr Macron also mentioned Greenland and the deep seas, saying they are not 'up for grabs' in remarks that appeared directed largely at Mr Trump. Mr Macron, in recent months, has sought to reinvigorate France's role as the diplomatic and economic heavyweight of the 27-nation European Union. The French president has positioned himself as a leader in Europe amid Mr Trump's threats to pull support from Ukraine as it fights against Russia's invasion. Mr Macron hosted a summit in Paris with other European heads of state to discuss Kyiv, as well as security issues on the continent. The French president has positioned himself as a leader in Europe amid Trump's threats to pull support from Ukraine as it fights against Russia's invasion (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sunday's visit will also be the occasion to discuss how to enhance relations between the EU and Greenland further when it comes to economic development, low-carbon energy transition and critical minerals. The leaders will also have exchanges on efforts to curb global warming, according to Mr Macron's office. Later Sunday, Mr Macron, Mr Frederiksen and Mr Nielsen held a meeting on a Danish helicopter carrier, showing France's concerns over security issues in the region. Last week, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by force if necessary, but refused to answer repeated questions during a hotly combative congressional hearing on Thursday about his use of Signal chats to discuss military operations. Mr Hegseth's comments were the latest controversial remarks made by a member of the Trump administration about the Arctic island. The president himself has said he won't rule out military force to take over Greenland, which he considers vital to American security in the high north. The Wall Street Journal last month reported that several high-ranking officials under the US director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, had directed intelligence agency heads to learn more about Greenland's independence movement and sentiment about US resource extraction there. Mr Nielsen said that US statements about the island have been disrespectful and that Greenland 'will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone'.
