After Trump's threats: French military aircraft lands in Greenland

Berliner Zeitung After Trump's threats: French military aircraft lands in Greenland Katerina Alexandridi • 4 hours • 2 minutes read French "ice landings" on Trump's coveted Arctic island of Greenland A French military transport aircraft conducted ice landings in Greenland at the beginning of March. This was according to a statement released by the Danish Armed Forces, Forsvaret, at the end of last week. In response to Donald Trump's repeated threats to annex the Arctic island, France had already proposed sending troops to Greenland. According to the French Foreign Minister, however, Denmark did not want to pursue this idea. As the Danish command now reports, the crew of the French Air Force's "Centre d'expertise aérienne militaire" test center wanted to train their ability to land on ice and snow-covered runways. Therefore, on March 4, an A400M military transport aircraft landed at the Greenlandic North Station after completing "a total of five flights" between the station and Mestersvig, "carrying various cargo loads." "The French have a lot of experience with the use of so-called dirt strips in Africa, but no experience with ice rinks," a Danish pilot who participated in the exercise is quoted as saying. "That's what they want, and we helped them with that." As the Danish command emphasizes, the cooperation with the French Air Force has existed since spring 2024, long before Trump's return to the White House and his threats to take control of Greenland, using military means if necessary. Greenland, Nuuk: People participate in a demonstration against Donald Trump in front of the US Consulate The US President has repeatedly expressed his desire for Greenland, which is part of the Danish Kingdom. Two weeks ago, he reiterated his plans to take over the resource-rich island in a speech to the US Congress. While the US supports the right of the people there to decide their own future, the Republican said, he was certain that the US would get Greenland "one way or another." In Greenland, the leaders of all parties represented in parliament rejected Trump's annexation plans as "unacceptable." Hundreds of people protested against Trump's plans in the capital, Nuuk, over the weekend.