France and Germany joined other European governments in rejecting any unilateral takeover of Greenland: a joint statement said that Greenland’s future is for Greenland and Denmark alone to decide. The governments also called for Arctic security to be pursued collectively through NATO, including with the United States. Their public statements set out a firm diplomatic and legal position, not an announced military response.
What did Germany and France say?
In a joint statement issued on 6 January 2026, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark said: “Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.” The statement was issued jointly; those words should not be attributed to French President Emmanuel Macron or German Chancellor Friedrich Merz individually. Read the Élysée statement.
The statement paired that position on decision-making with support for collective Arctic security. It described the Arctic as important to European, international and transatlantic security, noted that the Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO, and called for security efforts with NATO allies, including the United States. It grounded the position in the UN Charter principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.
Who decides Greenland’s future?
The January statement’s answer was explicit: Denmark and Greenland decide matters concerning them. It did not endorse a unilateral transfer of control. Its language asserts a principle of sovereignty and decision-making; it does not, by itself, resolve every legal question that might arise from a hypothetical action.
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What Germany said about annexation and a military response
At a government press conference on 7 January, spokesperson Steffen Kornelius said Germany opposed threats of annexation, reiterated that Greenland belongs to its population, and said Denmark and Greenland alone decide matters concerning them. He characterized Germany’s position as one of upholding international law, especially state sovereignty and territorial integrity. Read the German government transcript.
Asked what Europeans could do to prevent a US annexation, and whether a military response was possible, Kornelius did not announce one. He pointed instead to public diplomatic channels, European unity and consultation within the alliance. The transcript documents Germany’s diplomatic and legal position at that briefing, not a specific military commitment.
How the European statements changed in January
| Date and source | Participants | Main message |
|---|---|---|
| 6 January 2026, joint statement | Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom | Greenland’s affairs are for Denmark and Greenland to decide; Arctic security should be addressed collectively through NATO, including with the United States. |
| 7 January 2026, German government press conference | German government spokesperson Steffen Kornelius | Germany opposed annexation threats and emphasized sovereignty, territorial integrity, diplomacy and alliance consultation; no military response was announced. |
| 18 January 2026, joint statement | Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom | Solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, support for dialogue based on sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a warning that tariff threats could harm transatlantic relations. |
| 18 January 2026, European Council statement | European Council President António Costa, summarizing member-state consultations | International law, sovereignty, territorial integrity, solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, Arctic security through NATO, and continued engagement with the United States. |
| 17 June 2026, French foreign-ministry response | French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs | France affirmed the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, backed collective Arctic security with NATO allies, and called for dialogue. |
What the 18 January warning added
The follow-up statement by eight governments described Denmark’s Arctic Endurance exercise as pre-coordinated with allies and said it “poses no threat to anyone.” The signatories expressed full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland and said they were ready for dialogue based on sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also warned that tariff threats risked a dangerous downward spiral in transatlantic relations. Read the eight-government statement.
Separately, European Council President António Costa said EU member states had consulted on the issue. He summarized their position as support for international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, Arctic security through NATO, and continued constructive engagement with the United States. Read Costa’s statement.
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France’s later position
On 17 June 2026, France’s foreign ministry said Greenland “is neither for sale nor to be conquered,” affirmed the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, and backed collective Arctic security with NATO allies and dialogue between the parties. The English wording is a translation of the ministry’s French phrase, “Le Groenland n’est ni à vendre, ni à conquérir.” This confirms France’s stated position on that date; it does not establish that every January development or negotiation remained unchanged. Read the French ministry response.
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