Greenland says it should be defended by Nato, rejects any US takeover

Greenland’s government said on Monday it will ‌increase efforts to ensure the defence of the Arctic territory ‍takes place under the auspices of Nato, and again rejected US President Donald Trump’s ambition to take over the island.

Trump has said the United States must ⁠own Greenland, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, to prevent China

occupying the strategically located and minerals-rich territory in the future.

“On the basis of the very positive declaration from the six Nato member states regarding Greenland, the Government of Greenland will intensify efforts to ensure that the defence of Greenland is carried out within Nato,” Monday’s statement said.

“Greenland will always be part of the Western defence alliance,” the government said.

Andrius Kubilius, the European Union Commissioner for Defence and Space, said earlier on Monday that any US military takeover of Greenland would be the end of Nato.