Macron rejects Trump's Greenland plan, Putin mediates Israel-Iran crisis proposal
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a visit to Greenland to support the Arctic Islands that Russia lacks the credibility to mediate the crisis between Israel and Iran, as U.S. President Donald Trump suggested.
Trump said in an interview with ABC News on Sunday that he was open to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Vladimir Putin, who invaded Ukraine in 2022, resisted Trump's attempt to cease fire with Kyiv – mediation between Israel and Iran. Macron said he rejected such an idea.
“I don't think Russia is now facing high-intensity conflict and has decided to disrespect the UN Charter for several years, which could be a mediator,” he said.
Macron also said that France did not participate in any Israeli attacks on Iran.
The French leader is visiting Greenland-Denmark's autonomous part and has the right to declare Trump's threat to take over independence – attending a summit of the G7 leaders before traveling to Canada.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has long been fascinated by Greenland's ownership and control, covering his interest in buying the country in 2019, and he recently refused to rule out the rejection of military power. Andrew Chang explores four potential reasons Trump calls Greenland ownership “absolutely necessary.” Getty Images, images provided by Reuters and Canadian media.
At a press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Macron said the island was threatened by “predatory ambitions” and its situation was a wake-up call for all Europeans.
“Greenland should not be sold, don't be sold,” he said, adding that he talked to Trump before his trip and would talk to him about Greenland on the G7. “I think there is a way forward to build a better future in cooperation rather than provocation or confrontation.”
However, Macron said he eventually suspected that the United States would invade Greenland.
“I don't believe that in the end, the United States is an ally and a friend and will make aggressive measures against another,” he said.
Trump said he hopes the United States will take over the mineral-rich Arctic island, but he has not ruled out force.
His Vice President, JD Vance, visited U.S. military bases in March. Macron is the first foreign leader to visit Greenland since Trump's clear threat to “get” the island.
According to a New York City IFOP poll published Saturday, 77% of the French people and 56% of Americans disagree with the U.S. annexation of Greenland, while 43% of the French will use French military forces to prevent U.S. invasion.
Denmark's Frederiksen made several visits to Paris to seek support from France and Europe and shifted the orders for French-made ground-up missiles to Copenhagen's focus.
