Greenland to join meeting with Rubio, Danish officials
Trump 'actively' discussing purchase of Greenland: White House
Greenland's government will be part of a meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Danish officials next week, prompted by tensions over the Arctic island's future, its foreign minister said on Wednesday.
"Of course we will take part. We're the ones who requested a meeting," Vivian Motzfeldt told Danish public broadcaster DR after Rubio confirmed the meeting would take place.
Earlier on Wednesday the White House said US President Donald Trump had "actively discussed" the purchase of Greenland with his team, saying he preferred diplomacy but would not rule out military action.
"That's something that's currently being actively discussed by the president and his national security team," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said when asked about a possible US offer to buy the territory from Denmark.
"His team is currently talking about what a potential purchase would look like."
Leavitt reiterated that Trump believes acquiring Greenland would be in the interest of US national security.
"He views it in the best interest of the United States to deter Russian and Chinese aggression in the Arctic region. And so that's why his team is currently talking about what a potential purchase would look like."
Asked why Trump would not rule out military action against a fellow NATO member, Leavitt replied: "That's not something this president does. All options are always on the table for President Trump.
"But I will just say, the president's first option, always, has been diplomacy."