U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will meet Danish leaders next week, signalling that Washington is not retreating from President Donald Trump’s stated goal of acquiring Greenland, despite mounting concern among European allies.
Speaking on Wednesday (7 January) in Washington, Rubio said President Trump continues to view Greenland as strategically vital to U.S. security and has not ruled out military options, even as the administration insists diplomacy remains its preferred approach.
“As a diplomat, which is what I am now, we always prefer to settle issues through other means,” Rubio told reporters, adding that diplomacy had been pursued in previous crises as well.
The White House confirmed that Trump and his national security team are actively discussing options, including a possible purchase of Greenland. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said diplomacy remained the president’s first option, while stressing that “all options are always on the table.”
France, Germany and Poland held consultations on a coordinated response, while European Union leaders reiterated support for Denmark and Greenland, warning against violations of international law.
A senior European official said Denmark is expected to take the lead in coordinating any response but has yet to specify what form of support it seeks from allies.
Greenland, which is strategically located between Europe and North America, has long hosted key elements of the U.S. missile defence system. Its mineral resources are also seen in Washington as critical to reducing reliance on China.
Leaders from major European countries and Canada have publicly backed Greenland this week, emphasising that the territory belongs to its people. Greenlandic officials again rejected any suggestion of annexation, saying the island is not for sale.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland’s foreign affairs minister have requested an urgent meeting with Rubio, calling for a more measured dialogue.
Trump has renewed claims that Russian and Chinese activity near Greenland poses a security threat, assertions Denmark has disputed. Vessel tracking data reviewed by Reuters shows no Chinese or Russian ships operating near the island.
NATO allies are expected to discuss the issue at a scheduled meeting later this week.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 22nd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Donald Trump said the United States will target Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site “pretty soon” as he meets with Lebanese president Michel Aoun. Meanwhile, U.S. forces carried out a 10th consecutive night of strikes on Iran while Tehran continues to target Gulf countries.
Overnight U.S. strikes caused blackouts in southwestern Iran and hit the northwestern city of Tabriz for the first time. Separately, a U.S. soldier died in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone.
The United States has bombed Iran for an 11th consecutive night as the Pentagon says the war’s cost reach $37.5 billion. President Donald Trump threatens a heavy strike on the suspected Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site. Tehran warns that any attack could trigger a wider regional escalation.
Daniel Siad, a modelling scout whose name appeared in documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been found dead at his home near Paris, French prosecutors said. He was 69.
Ukraine's new commander-in-chief, Mykhailo Drapatyi, takes charge at a pivotal stage of the war with Russia, facing mounting challenges including troop shortages, battlefield reform and the rapid evolution of drone warfare.
ASEAN foreign ministers opened the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila on 21 July, launching four days of talks that run until 24 July. The agenda includes South China Sea tensions, Myanmar’s conflict and growing U.S.-China rivalry.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand has renewed calls for an immediate de-escalation and permanent ceasefire in the Middle East while she warned that the humanitarian situation had become "quite grave". Anand also raised concern over tensions in the South China Sea.
Pakistan has asked the U.S. for a $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility, according to a source briefed on the matter. If approved, the funding would bolster the country's foreign exchange reserves and provide a major boost to its cash-strapped economy.
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