US Vice President Vance in a speech from a U.S. base in Greenland said Friday the U.S. is not likely to use military force in President Trump’s pursuit of taking over the territory,
The Hill reports.
Vance also said the U.S. respects Greenland’s sovereignty, despite Trump’s repeated comments that America would take ownership of the Arctic island away from Denmark.
“We do not think military force is ever going to be necessary,” Vance said in response to a reporter’s question on whether there are military plans to take over the island.
“What we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose, through self determination, to become independent of Denmark, and then we’re going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there.”
Vance made his remarks from the Pituffik Space Base, an American military installation that is a critical front line in missile defense, missile warning and space surveillance. It is located in the northwestern part of Greenland.
Trump has repeatedly discussed acquiring Greenland, arguing it would strengthen U.S. security and combat threats ranging from Russia’s access to the Arctic to China’s attempts to make inroads in the region.
“We need Greenland for international security. We have to have Greenland,” Trump said in remarks from the White House on Friday.
