France has asked for a NATO exercise in Greenland and is ready to contribute to it, French President Emmanuel Macron's office said on Wednesday.
News of the request comes as US President Donald Trump barrels into Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, where he is likely to use the World Economic Forum to escalate his push to acquire Greenland despite European protests, in the biggest fraying of transatlantic ties in decades.
Speaking in Davos on Tuesday, Macron said Europe would not give in to bullies or be intimidated, in a scathing criticism of Trump's threat to impose steep tariffs if Europe does not let him take over Greenland.
NATO leaders have warned that Trump's strategy for Greenland could upend the alliance. Trump has linked Greenland to his anger at not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize.
On Tuesday, Trump shared texts sent to him by French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte shortly after stating that he would be meeting with world leaders to discuss Greenland at this week's Davos World Economic Forum.
Trump shares messages with France's Macron
"We have to have it. They have to have this done. They can't protect it, Denmark, they're wonderful people," Trump told reporters.
"I know the leaders, they're very good people, but they don't even go there."
"We are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things in Iran. I do not understand what you are doing in Greenland," Macron wrote to Trump in a message which was confirmed as authentic by a source close to the French president.
"The French President defends the same line in public as in private," the source said.
Shir Perets contributed to this report.