Trump refuses to rule out force as Europe sends troops to Greenland

U.S. President Donald Trump has doubled down on his claim that the United States needs control of Greenland for national security – refusing to rule out using military force to take the arctic landmass.

The comments come as several European nations deploy military personnel to Greenland to boost security.

Late last night they landed – a small contingent of French troops arriving in Greenland’s capital Nuuk for a so-called reconnaissance mission – joining soldiers from Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and the UK.

Denmark has vowed to increase its military presence in Greenland and European allies are promising support.

French President Emmanuel Macron said today that more French soldiers are on the way “by land, air and sea,” explaining that Europeans have a responsibility to Greenland because it is part of the European Union and NATO.

But the leader of NATO’s most powerful member state keeps repeating his goal to take over this semi-autonomous part of Denmark.

“Greenland is very important for national security, including of Denmark. And the problem is there’s not a thing that Denmark can do about it if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland,” said Trump.

High-level talks yesterday between the Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers with the U.S. vice president and secretary of state failed to settle the disagreement.

“It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland. And we made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of the kingdom,” said Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Danish Foreign Minister.

WATCH MORE: Dramatic escalation in Trump’s Greenland efforts as global leaders sound alarm

Yesterday’s talks ending with an agreement to set up a high-level working group to discuss the arctic island’s future.

The White House says the new European troops change nothing.

“I don’t think troops in Europe impact the president’s decision-making process, nor does it impact his goal of the acquisition of Greenland at all,” said Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary.

But Greenland’s prime minister says his people do not want to be taken over by America.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen told a rally in the Danish capital today, “Greenland does not want to be owned by the USA. Greenland does not want to be governed and controlled by the USA. Greenland does not want to be part of the USA.”

A sentiment shared by many other politicians in Greenland.

“Greenland sticks together in these times – the Greenlandic people and the Greenlandic spirit,” said Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, Greenlandic member of Danish parliament.

The European troops in Greenland are part of Operation Arctic Endurance, a Danish-led joint military exercise – but the soldiers only number in the dozens.

The deployment is being characterized by many analysts as symbolic, aimed at sending a political message. Meanwhile, the U.S. has already put in about 150 troops who are permanently stationed at a U.S. base in Greenland that has existed since World War Two.

WATCH MORE: Trump renews push for U.S. control of Greenland amid Danish, European pushback