In brief
President Donald Trump has declared that the United States must take ownership of Greenland to deter Russia and China from asserting influence over the territory. He suggested that this could be achieved either 'the easy way' or 'the hard way', amidst Denmark's rejection of such propositions and warnings from Greenland's leaders about sovereignty. As tensions mount, the implications for NATO and global geopolitics are significant.
President Donald Trump says the US needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia and China from doing so.
Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership, you don't defend leases. And we'll have to defend Greenland, Trump told reporters on Friday, in response to a question from the BBC.
The US will do it the easy way or the hard way, he added. The White House recently said the administration was considering buying the semi-autonomous territory of fellow NATO member Denmark, but it would not rule out the option of annexing it by force.
Denmark and Greenland say the territory is not for sale. Denmark has said military action would spell the end of the trans-Atlantic defence alliance.
Greenland's party leaders, including the opposition, reiterated their call for the US's disregard for our country to end in a joint statement on Friday night.
Despite being the most sparsely populated territory, Greenland's location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks and for monitoring vessels in the region.
The US president has repeatedly said that Greenland is vital to US national security, claiming without evidence that it was covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.
The US already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base in Greenland's north-western tip - a facility that has been operated by the US since World War Two.
Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US has the power to bring as many troops as it wants to Greenland. But Trump said a lease agreement was not good enough.
I love the people of China. I love the people of Russia, Trump said. But I don't want them as a neighbour in Greenland, not going to happen... NATO's got to understand that.
Denmark's NATO allies - major European countries as well as Canada - have rallied to its support this week with statements reaffirming that only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations and emphasizing collective security in the region.
Concerns over Greenland's future resurfaced after Trump's recent military actions, and as the U.S. Secretary of State prepares talks with Denmark next week amidst growing interest in Greenland's abundant natural resources.
