French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, June 15, sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s past threats to annex Greenland, denouncing the idea as contrary to the principles of international partnership and sovereignty.

Macron made the remarks during a landmark visit to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland—becoming the first foreign head of state to officially visit the Danish autonomous territory since Trump’s controversial comments.

“That’s not what allies do,” Macron stated, referring to Trump’s repeated suggestions that the United States should acquire the strategically located, resource-rich island. Trump’s refusal to rule out the use of force to secure Greenland had previously stirred international unease.

Speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Macron reaffirmed the European Union’s strong support for Greenland’s territorial integrity. “Everyone in France and across the EU agrees—Greenland is not for sale, nor to be taken,” he declared, as dozens of Greenlanders waved the red-and-white territorial flag in a show of solidarity.

Denmark has consistently rejected any suggestions of selling Greenland, a position reiterated by Prime Minister Frederiksen during the visit. Earlier in the day, Macron met with Frederiksen and Nielsen aboard a Danish naval frigate, where the leaders discussed growing security concerns in the Arctic, including increasing Russian and Chinese activity in the region.

In response to rising geopolitical tensions, Macron announced that France is prepared to take part in joint military exercises with NATO members and the NB8 (Nordic-Baltic Eight) countries to support regional defense strategies. Denmark has recently pledged $2 billion to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic.

Macron’s visit also included a helicopter tour over the glacier at Mount Nunatarsuaq, where he observed the visible impacts of climate change. Scientists warn the Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, with Greenland’s ice sheet melting at record rates—raising global sea levels and threatening local ecosystems and communities.

Greenland, home to around 57,000 people, maintains a strong desire for independence from Denmark but has shown little interest in aligning with the United States. Although not an EU member, Greenland is listed among the bloc’s Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), maintaining close ties with Europe.

As the Arctic becomes increasingly central to global competition for shipping routes and rare earth minerals essential to modern technologies, Macron emphasized the European Union’s intent to deepen its partnership with Greenland.

He pledged to fast-track the EU’s 2023 strategic cooperation plan focused on sustainable development and critical mineral extraction, including rare earths and graphite.

Macron concluded his six-hour visit Sunday evening and departed for Canada to attend the upcoming G7 summit.