Greenland says it should be defended by Nato, rejects any takeover by US

STOCKHOLM: Greenland’s govt said on Monday it will increase efforts to ensure the defence of the Arctic territory takes place under the auspices of Nato, and again rejected US President Donald Trump’s ambition to take over the island.Trump has said the US must own Greenland, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, to prevent Russia or China occupying the strategically located and mineralsrich territory in the future.“All Nato member states, including the US, have a common interest in the defence of Greenland,” the island’s coalition govt said in a statement, adding that it can in no way accept a US takeover of Greenland.” “As part of the Danish commonwealth, Greenland is a member of Nato and the defence of Greenland must therefore be through Nato,” the govt said. The EU commissioner for defence and space Andrius Kubilius said earlier on Monday that any US military takeover of Greenland would be the end of Nato.Nato chief Mark Rutte said Monday that member countries are discussing the next steps to collectively keep the Arctic safe, the latest sign of work among allies to satisfy Trump .REUTERS