US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told congressmen that President Donald Trump wants to buy Greenland from Denmark, instead of occupying this Arctic island by military means.
Mr. Rubio made the above statement in a closed-door meeting, after Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer questioned whether President Trump is considering using troops in places like Greenland and Mexico.
According to Mr. Trump's argument - who first expressed his intention to own Greenland in his first term - controlling this strategically located island is directly related to US national security and competition with the Russian and Chinese navies.
President Trump has repeatedly emphasized that winning Greenland is a US national security priority, and this is vital to deter our opponents in the Arctic region," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on January 6.
Ms. Leavitt also emphasized that the use of the military "is always an option within the authority of the commander-in-chief".
Also on January 6, European NATO countries issued a joint statement expressing support for Denmark, while affirming that Greenland is an autonomous territory belonging to this country.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that no NATO member is "allowed to attack or threaten" another member, and warned that an armed conflict between the US and Denmark would erode NATO's solidarity foundation.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also affirmed that a US invasion would mean an end to NATO. "If the US attacks another NATO country, everything will stop," Ms. Frederiksen said.
However, the leading political parties in Greenland have long called for independence or expansion of autonomy from Copenhagen.
Icelandic singer Bjork posted a message to 2 million followers on Instagram on January 5, expressing support for Greenland's efforts to gain independence, and hoping that the island could follow the path of Iceland, a country that separated from Denmark in 1944.
