US official calls Greenland acquisition 'only solution' ahead of NATO summit in Ankara
A senior US official told reporters that acquiring Greenland remains the only way to address long-term security risks around the Arctic island, speaking before the NATO summit in Ankara.
The statement
A senior US official said on Sunday that the United States still views the acquisition of Greenland as the only path to meet NATO's defense needs in the region. Speaking to journalists ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara on Tuesday and Wednesday, the official stated that "lively naval activities" around Greenland demanded a permanent solution.
We continue to believe that this is the best way to meet NATO's defense needs regarding Greenland.
The official added that other options were also being examined, but did not elaborate on what those might be. President Donald Trump, the official noted, is seeking a "lasting" resolution.
So far, we see the acquisition of Greenland by the United States as the only solution.
Trump's earlier threats
Trump had openly threatened earlier this year to take over the strategically important Arctic island, arguing that the territory could not otherwise be secured against Russia and China. His remarks not only alienated NATO partner Denmark but also raised doubts about the cohesion of the world's largest military alliance and mutual defense commitments.
Trump later walked back threats to use military force, as well as warnings of punitive tariffs against Germany and other European countries if they did not consent to a sale. However, he has not dropped his claim to the island.
Danish and Greenlandic rejection
Both the Danish and Greenlandic governments have firmly rejected any annexation by the United States. They have since entered talks with the Trump administration with the aim of finding a compromise.
