Washington, Jan 10 (EFE). - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he will not allow 'Russia or China to occupy Greenland,' so he has decided to 'do something' about the Arctic island, 'by hook or by crook.' Trump insisted several times to the media at the White House that the United States will do something in Greenland, 'like it or not,' because otherwise the Danish territory will be conquered by Russia and China. The U.S. leader stated that the U.S. needs to control the island for security reasons because 'right now there are Russian destroyers around Greenland, there are Chinese destroyers, and, in addition, there are Russian submarines everywhere.' He also questioned Denmark's sovereignty over the territory by stating that, although he admires the Nordic country, 'the fact that they landed there with a ship 500 years ago does not mean they own that land.' 'I would like to make a deal, you know, the good way; but if we don't do it the good way, we will do it the bad way,' he repeated, rejecting the idea that any arrangement other than control of Greenland is possible. 'Because when we possess it, we defend it. Leases are not defended the same way: one must be the owner,' he said. 'Countries have to have ownership; and ownership is defended, not leases; and we will have to defend Greenland,' he continued. The U.S. leader also tried to clarify that possible U.S. actions in Greenland, which according to the White House may include the use of the country's armed forces to seize the Danish territory, do not mean he is against NATO. 'NATO has to understand that I am totally in favor of NATO,' Trump stressed. 'If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have NATO right now,' he stated. Trump ended by noting that he maintains good relations with the leaders of China, Xi Jinping, and Russia, Vladimir Putin, although with the latter he is 'very disappointed.'
