In brief
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans for talks with Denmark regarding the ownership of Greenland after President Trump's controversial remarks about using military force to acquire the territory. This follows growing tensions in the region, further spotlighted by recent military actions in Venezuela. European leaders have voiced their support for Denmark, asserting that Greenland's future should be decided by its people.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced he will hold talks with Denmark next week amid concerns over America's desire to acquire the Danish territory of Greenland.
Marco Rubio's statement to reporters, following a closed-door briefing with US senators, came a day after the White House stated that US President Donald Trump had been discussing options, including military force, to acquire Greenland.
Concerns over the future of the territory resurfaced after Trump's unilateral use of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize its President Nicolás Maduro.
The Trump administration claims Greenland is vital to US security, while Denmark asserts that any attack would jeopardize the NATO military alliance.
If the president identifies a threat to the national security of the United States, every president retains the option to address it through military means, Rubio stated Wednesday. However, as a diplomat, we always prefer resolving issues through peaceful means, which applies to Venezuela as well.
Earlier, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot revealed Rubio had ruled out the possibility of an invasion of Greenland during a phone call.
Barrot is scheduled to discuss the Arctic island's future, which holds strategic significance, with his German and Polish counterparts later on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, European leaders issued a joint statement supporting Denmark's position against Trump's ambitions. Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations, they declared.
The European leaders emphasized their commitment to Arctic security, insisting it must be achieved collectively among NATO allies, including the US.
The statement also stressed the importance of adhering to the principles of the UN Charter concerning sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders.
A day after the US military action in Venezuela, Katie Miller, wife of one of Trump's senior aides, shared a map on social media of Greenland decorated with the US flag, captioning it with SOON. This evoked concerns about the US administration's stance on Greenland.
On Monday, Stephen Miller expressed that it was the formal position of the US government that Greenland should be part of the US. Morgan Angaju, a 27-year-old Inuit from Ilulissat, expressed her fears, stating it was terrifying to hear the leader of the free world laugh at Denmark and Greenland, treating us like a possession to claim.
