Donald Trump has reiterated his territorial ambitions for Greenland - despite warnings that his plans for the Danish territory could destroy NATO.
The US president has been vocal about his desire to take control of the self-governing and mineral-rich island since returning to the White House, despite the fact that America and Denmark are NATO allies, foreign media write, according to Telegraph.
Speaking after a US raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, he told The Atlantic "we need protection."
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has since warned that, in the event of a US invasion of the territory, "everything stops... including NATO."
Sir Keir Starmer has sided with his Danish counterpart, but Trump has refused to back down, insisting he needs the island "now".
Speaking to Sky's US partner network, NBC News, on Monday evening, the US president said: "We need Greenland for national security, and that includes Europe."
"You know I'm very loyal to Europe. We need national security, now."
"I think Greenland is very important to the national security of the United States, Europe and other parts of the free world."
He also stressed that there was "no timeline" for taking action, but claimed he is "very serious" in his intention.
In her statement on Sunday, Ms. Frederiksen said: "There is absolutely no point in talking about the US needing to take over Greenland."
"The United States has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish Kingdom."
"Therefore, I would strongly urge the US to stop making threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people, who have made it very clear that they are not for sale."
Responding to this, Sir Keir of Great Britain said: "I stand with her. She is right about the future of Greenland." /Telegrafi/
