US, Denmark To Discuss Greenland Next Week, Says Marco Rubio

The United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that he will meet with the Denmark government to discuss Greenland next week. The meeting comes amid escalating tensions following renewed demands from US President Donald Trump to take control of the island.

"US military is always an option," Trump said on Tuesday, regarding taking control of Greenland. 

READ | "Military Always An Option": Trump Discussing How To Acquire Greenland

In order to resolve the issue, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that the governments of Denmark and Greenland had requested a meeting with Rubio. Greenland's foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, said in a Facebook post that the goal of the talks would be "to discuss the United States' strong statements regarding Greenland." 

"When we want this, it is of course because we have the impression that part of this discussion is based on a misreading of what is what," Rasmussen told reporters, adding, "We believe it makes sense to try to arrange a meeting with our American counterparts in order to clear up some of the misunderstandings that may exist."

Earlier on Tuesday, European leaders warned Trump in a joint statement that the territorial integrity of Greenland and Denmark should be respected.

READ | "Greenland Belongs To Its People": Europe Pushes Back Against Trump's Threats

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Monday had also warned the Republican leader and said that any US attack on Greenland would mean the end of the NATO alliance and "the security that has been established since the end of the Second World War."

Trump has argued that the US needs to control the world's largest island to ensure its own security in the face of rising threats from China and Russia in the Arctic. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a select group of lawmakers that it was the administration's intention to eventually purchase Greenland – a self-governing territory of Denmark and part of NATO – rather than use military force, per the Associated Press.