Trump says who will get Greenland if not him

The United States must become the full owner of Greenland, otherwise the largest island of the planet may end up under the control of Russia or China. Such a loud statement was made by US President Donald Trump during a meeting with the heads of oil companies, Reuters reports .

According to the head of the White House, the current 1951 agreement allows the US to place military bases and troops on the island, but this is not enough for the real defence of the region.

You protect what you own. Leases are not protected. We need ownership," Trump stated.

The American president emphasised that Washington will "do something with Greenland" in any case, regardless of Denmark's position or the opinion of the islanders. According to him, the process can take an "easy" or "hard" path.

If we don't do it, Greenland will be taken over by Russia or China. And we don't want to have them as neighbours," Trump said, adding that he does not want to see Russian or Chinese military bases near US territory.

He also noted that the North Atlantic Alliance should also take this position into account.

And, by the way, NATO should understand this, the president stressed.

According to Trump, the US administration is considering different options for gaining control over Greenland - from buying the island to other forms of "solving the issue".

Earlier, on 6 January, the White House said that Greenland is necessary for the US to "deter adversaries in the Arctic", not ruling out even a military scenario. In response, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called such statements by Washington "an unacceptable attack on the global community."