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 area.

Vance's remarks come amid ongoing discussions within the U.S. government regarding Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. The White House indicated that U.S. officials are "actively" discussing a potential offer to buy Greenland, a day after suggesting military action to annex it to the U.S. was also an option.

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. European allies have rallied to Denmark's support following the U.S. suggestions.

Greenland's strategic importance stems from its location between North America and the Arctic. Despite being sparsely populated, its geographical position makes it suitable for early warning systems to detect missile attacks and for monitoring vessel activity in the region. The U.S. already maintains a military presence in Greenland, with more than 100 personnel stationed there.

The debate over Greenland's security highlights the increasing geopolitical significance of the Arctic region. As ice caps melt due to climate change, new shipping routes and resource extraction opportunities are emerging, attracting interest from various global powers, including Russia and China. This has led to increased military activity and a renewed focus on securing strategic assets in the Arctic. Paulin Kola of Reuters contributed to this report.