French Foreign Affairs minister Jean-Noël Barrot has not ruled out sending European troops to Greenland "if our security interests are at risk", he signalled in a radio interview on Tuesday, writes EURACTIV.

Barrot told Sud Radio discussions were being held with Denmark on the deployment of EU troops in case a security risk arises he said, but ruled out any immediate action. “At this point, it is not Denmark`s wish", he said.

His statements come after Copenhagen announced a EUR 2 billion investment on Monday to strengthen Arctic defense capabilities, including the addition of three new navy vessels.

On Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen held a spate of bilateral meetings, including with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin and President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. She also met with NATO chief Mark Rutte.

Greenland was not formally a discussion point between Macron and Frederiksen, though both were expected to address "European security and defense issues," according to a press release.

Diplomatic sources told Euractiv that Barrot’s remarks were not discussed during the meeting.