The map of Greenland has been swallowed up by the American flag. Paris disputes Trump's words

France has reiterated its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland following US President Donald Trump's renewed statements on the need to take control of this autonomous territory.

Paris stressed that the future of Greenland can only be decided by its people, together with Denmark.

Pascal Confavreux, spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry, told TF1 television that this was a show of solidarity with Denmark. "Borders cannot be changed by force," he declared.

Trump said in an interview with the Atlantic magazine on Sunday that the United States "absolutely needs" Greenland for defense reasons. His comments came shortly after the US military operation in Venezuela, after which Trump declared that Washington would take over the leadership of that country.

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland had already urged Trump on Sunday to stop threatening occupation. Tensions were heightened by a post by US commentator Katie Miller, who published a map of Greenland in the colours of the US flag. Denmark responded with a diplomatic protest, stressing the need to respect the territorial integrity of the kingdom.

(reuters, max)