The US has "quite a few soldiers" in the Arctic island, and "maybe you'll see more," the president has warned

President Donald Trump has told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that he would like the US-led military bloc to assist Washington in "securing" Greenland following their negotiations in the Oval Office on Thursday.

Trump initially proposed buying the Danish autonomous territory during his first term in 2019 and has reignited the discussion after returning to office. Speaking at a recent joint session of Congress, he stated that the US will secure the island "one way or the other."

Asked by journalists on Thursday about his "vision on the potential annexation of Greenland," Trump stated, "I think it will happen."

"I didn't give it much thought before, but I'm sitting with a man who could be very instrumental. You know, Mark, we need that for international security," the US president said, turning to the NATO chief. "We have a lot of our favorite players cruising around the coasts, and we have to be careful. We'll be talking to you."

Rutte downplayed the proposal, saying with a chuckle, that "when it comes to Greenland, joining or not joining the US, I would leave that outside... this discussion, because I do not want to drag NATO into that."

However, the NATO chief noted that Trump was "totally right" in highlighting security concerns in the High North and the Arctic, given the increased presence of Russia and China in the region. He also emphasized the importance of Western nations working "together on this under the US leadership."

Trump reiterated that the US "really needs" Greenland for both national and international security. "I think that's why NATO might have to get involved in a way," he added.

The president then pointed out that the US already had "a couple of bases" and hundreds of soldiers in Greenland, suggesting that "maybe you'll see more and more soldiers go there."

"What do you think about that, Pete?" Trump said, addressing Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth with a smile. "Don't answer that, Pete. Don't answer that question. But we have bases, and we have quite a few soldiers in Greenland."

Trump's statements drew a quick response from Greenland. The outgoing prime minister of the Danish autonomous territory, Mute Egede, turned to Facebook to criticize the US president for entertaining "the thought of annexing us," adding, "Enough is enough."

Greenland has long been of strategic importance due to its Arctic location and untapped mineral resources. Covering 2.2 million square kilometers and home to a population of only about 60,000, the Danish autonomous territory also hosts a key US military base at Thule.