Macron: Post-Greenland relief was "cowardly"

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that Europe should not be lulled into complacency after the recent Greenland crisis, describing the initial sense of relief as “cowardly.”

“As we left the worst of the [Greenland] crisis, there was a cowardly form of relief,” Macron said, stressing that Europe faces constant threats and intimidation from external powers, including the United States, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The comments highlight growing concerns within the European Union over its reliance on Washington. EU leaders are preparing for a summit on Thursday (February 12) focused on competitiveness and strategic independence, amid divisions on how best to reduce Europe’s dependence on foreign powers.

While some countries hope relations with the U.S. will return to normal following the Greenland incident, Macron said the risk of new threats remains high. “There are threats and intimidation, then all of a sudden, Washington retreats, and we think it’s over. But don’t think that for one single second … every day, there are new threats,” he said.

The warning comes as EU capitals debate how to turn ambitions for greater autonomy into concrete action. Disagreements are already emerging over joint defence projects, economic reforms, and industrial policies, with France, Germany, Italy, and Nordic countries holding divergent views.

By Aghakazim Guliyev