US President Donald Trump again reiterated the claims of having to do "something" about Greenland, saying that if the US doesn't take any action, Russia and China would spring in and that Washington does not want to have them as neighbours. In the context of Denmark, he said that landing a boat 500 years ago in Greenland "doesn't mean they own the land".
The US President made the remarks while interacting with mediapersons during his meeting with the top oil and gas executives.
Trump's stern warning to Greenland
When asked about Greenland, Trump said, "We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not, because if we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland -- and we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour. I would like to make a deal the easy way but if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way".
He added, "And by the way, I'm a fan of Denmark as well. They've been very nice to me. I'm a big fan but the fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn't mean that they own the land. We had lots of boats go there also. But we need that because if you take a look at the outside of Greenland right now, they are Russian destroyers, Chinese destroyers and bigger, there are Russian submarines all over the place. We're not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland and that's what they're going to do if we don't. We will do something with Greenland either the nice way or the difficult way."
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When asked why it was important to "own" Greenland, when the US has a military presence that it could expand, Trump said that one defends ownership and not leases.
"When we own it we defend it. You don't defend leases the same way. You have to own it. Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership. You don't defend leases. If we don't do it, China or Russia well. That's not going to happen... NATO has to understand that. I'm all for NATO. I saved it. If it weren't for me, NATO would not be there."
Why Trump wants Greenland
Trump has renewed his push to take over a semi-autonomous Danish territory rich in natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron. The new push to annexe Greenland comes after Trump's use of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize its President Nicolas Maduro.
ALSO READ: Why Trump Desperately Wants Greenland And Why Is It So Important For US | 5 Key Points
For decades, Washington has viewed Greenland as strategically important, and the Trump administration has once more placed the island at the centre of its Arctic agenda by reviving discussions around altering the status of the Danish territory.
Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first presidential term, only to be told it was not for sale.
The fear of Russia and China laying a "claim" to foreign territories has been repeated by President Trump before, too.
(Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by The Daily Jagran and has been published through a syndicated feed. Source - ANI)