US President Donald Trump has again suggested the use of force to seize Greenland as he brushed aside Denmark's sovereignty over the autonomous Arctic island.
"We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not," Mr Trump said at a White House meeting with oil executives looking to benefit in Venezuela, where the United States last week overthrew the president.
"I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way. But if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way," Mr Trump said when asked of Greenland.
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Mr Trump said controlling the mineral-rich island is crucial for US national security given the rising military activity of Russia and China in the Arctic.
"We're not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland. That's what they're going to do if we don't. So we're going to be doing something with Greenland, either the nice way or the more difficult way."
Both countries have increased military activity in the Arctic region in recent years, but neither has laid any claim to the vast icy island.
Denmark and other European allies have voiced shock at Mr Trump's threats to take control of Greenland, where the US already has a military base.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an invasion of Greenland would end "everything," meaning NATO and the post-World War II security structure.
Mr Trump made light of the concerns of Denmark, a steadfast US ally that joined the United States in the controversial 2003 invasion of Iraq.
"I'm a fan of Denmark, too, I have to tell you. And you know, they've been very nice to me," he said.
"But you know, the fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn't mean that they own the land."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due to meet next week with Denmark's foreign minister and representatives from Greenland.
Meloni does not believe US will make military move on Greenland
Earlier, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she did not believe the United States would use military force to seize Greenland, warning that such a move would have grave consequences for NATO.
At her traditional New Year's press conference, Ms Meloni said a reinforced NATO presence in the Arctic would help address US concerns about rival powers gaining influence in the region, reducing pressure for unilateral action by Washington.
"I continue not to believe in the hypothesis that the United States would launch a military action to take control of Greenland, an option I would clearly not support," said Ms Meloni, one of US President Donald Trump's closest allies in Europe.
Her comments come amid rising tensions over US policy in the Arctic and Europe's role in shaping security policy, after last weekend's US swoop on Venezuela rekindled concerns about Mr Trump's intentions towards Greenland.
The White House said on Tuesday that the US was considering a range of options to acquire Greenland, including the use of military force.
The Italian leader said it was "clear to everyone" that any US move on Greenland would have a significant impact on NATO, adding this was the reason she did not think Washington would follow through on its threats.
However, she said it was important for NATO to boost its presence in the region, adding that she understood US concerns over the need to prevent "excessive interference from other actors that could even be hostile".
Ms Meloni has traditionally had strong ties with Mr Trump and was the only European leader to attend his inauguration last year.
Her supporters had hoped she would have privileged access to him and become a bridge between Washington and Europe, but it is far from clear that he has heeded her advice up until now.
"There are many things on which I do not agree with Trump. For example, I believe international law must be strongly defended....When I disagree, I tell him, I have no difficulty doing so," Ms Meloni said.
It comes as the US State Department said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and "discussed the significance of Arctic security for all NATO Allies".
Several NATO members expressed concern after the White House said on Tuesday that the US was considering a range of options to acquire Greenland, including the use of military force.
Meanwhile, the head of NATO's forces in Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich, said the military alliance was far from being in "a crisis", following President Trump's threats to bring Greenland under US control.
"There's been no impact on my work at the military level up to this point... I would just say that we're ready to defend every inch of alliance territory still today," Mr Grynkewich told reporters during a visit to Finland.
"So I see us as far from being in a crisis right now," he added.
'I'm afraid' - Greenlanders react to Trump threats
Greenlanders have spoken about being afraid and annoyed by US President Donald Trump’s renewed efforts to acquire the territory from Denmark.
The White House has said that all options, including military action, would be considered, upping tensions which Denmark warns could destroy the NATO alliance.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that he would meet Danish officials next week after Mr Trump repeated in recent days that he wants to gain control of Greenland, an idea first voiced in 2019 during his first presidency.
He has argued that the island is key for the US military and that Denmark has not done enough to protect it.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Deputy Foreign Editor Edmund Heaphy in the capital Nuuk, a retired university lecturer said the US President's threats were keeping her up at night.
"I don't like to talk about [Donald Trump] because he spoils my sleep. I don't sleep very well because I'm afraid," she said.
Another man described the US’ attempts to acquire Greenland as "annoying", citing the long history of cooperation between the autonomous territory, Denmark and the United States on various matters.
Additional reporting: Edmund Heaphy
