France has called on NATO to hold a military exercise in Greenland and is "ready to contribute," according to a statement from French President Emmanuel Macron's office on Wednesday.
This request comes at a time of turmoil in the ranks of the transatlantic alliance due to US threats to occupy the Arctic island and after Donald Trump rejected the French President's invitation to participate in the G7 leaders' meeting in Paris to resolve the differences.
When asked about the French request on Wednesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said Macron should focus on his domestic issues, where "the French budget is in bad shape."
France has already sent a small military contingent to Greenland and has plans to send naval, air and ground forces, although details remain unclear.
Troops from several European countries have already been deployed to Greenland as part of Denmark's "Operation Arctic Endurance" exercise. According to local reports, Copenhagen on Monday strengthened its military presence on the Arctic island.
Source: protothema.gr
