U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that Greenland is "critical" for the defense of the U.S. and the world against potential Russian or Chinese missile attacks, adding that Europe and Denmark have "not done a good job" in securing the territory. Vance made the comments in an interview with Fox News, asserting that there has been under-investment in Greenland's defenses and a failure to engage with former President Donald Trump's interest in the issue.

Vance's remarks come amid ongoing discussions within the U.S. government regarding Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. The White House said officials are "actively" discussing a potential offer to buy Greenland, a day after a suggestion of possible military action to annex it to the U.S.

Denmark, a NATO ally, has cautioned that such a move would jeopardize the alliance. Both Greenland and Denmark have consistently maintained that the island is not for sale. Paulin Kola of Reuters reported that European allies have rallied to Denmark's support.

Greenland's strategic location between North America and the Arctic makes it valuable for early warning systems against missile attacks and for monitoring vessels in the region, despite being sparsely populated. The U.S. already maintains a military presence of over 100 personnel on the island.

The debate over Greenland's security highlights the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic region, particularly as climate change makes it more accessible. The U.S. interest in Greenland dates back decades, but Trump's public consideration of purchasing the island brought renewed attention to the issue. The current discussions reflect ongoing concerns about potential threats from Russia and China in the Arctic.