The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump has been exploring various options, including potential military involvement, to acquire Greenland from Denmark. According to the White House, acquiring the semi-autonomous Danish territory is considered a "national security priority" for the United States.

This announcement followed a joint statement from European leaders expressing support for Denmark, which has resisted Trump's interest in purchasing the Arctic island. Over the weekend, Trump reiterated the U.S.'s need for Greenland for security reasons, prompting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to caution that any U.S. attack would signify the end of NATO.

The White House stated on Tuesday that "the president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilising the US military is always an option at the commander-in-chief's disposal."

The notion of the U.S. acquiring Greenland has been publicly discussed by Trump and his advisors, raising questions about U.S. strategic interests in the Arctic region. Greenland's strategic location and potential natural resources have made it a subject of geopolitical interest.

NATO, a trans-Atlantic military alliance, operates on the principle of collective defense, where member states are expected to assist each other in the event of an external attack. The suggestion of potential military action by the U.S. to acquire Greenland has raised concerns about the implications for the alliance.

The Danish government has maintained that Greenland is not for sale. Prime Minister Frederiksen has described the idea of selling Greenland as "absurd." The U.S. has had a long-standing interest in Greenland, dating back to the mid-19th century. In 1946, the U.S. offered Denmark $100 million to buy the island, but the offer was rejected.