British News Agency

On Sunday, Trump further escalated tensions by saying the United States would take the region “one way or another,” and mocked the island’s defenses by describing them as consisting of “just two dog sleds.”

Facing the possibility of a forced annexation, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen pinned his hopes on the U.S.-led military alliance, NATO.

In a social media post, Nielsen said, “Our security and defense belong to NATO. This is a fundamental and clear line.”

He added that his government “will therefore ensure that developments in the field of defense in and around Greenland take place in close cooperation with NATO, in dialogue with our allies, including the United States, and in cooperation with Denmark.”

Diplomats at NATO say some alliance members have floated ideas, including the possibility of launching a new mission in the region.

They say the talks are still at an early stage and that so far there is no concrete proposal on the table.

Trump insists that Greenland should be brought under U.S. control, arguing that the autonomous Danish territory is vital to national security.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that an armed attack by Washington on Greenland would mean the end of NATO.

Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, has significant largely untapped mineral resources and is considered to occupy a strategic location.