Greenland crisis grows: Trump maintains his insistence

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio detailed the American approach toward Greenland during a meeting held at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Secretary Rubio emphasized that the US needs Greenland for "national security" purposes and stated that President Donald Trump's remarks in this direction were sincere. Rubio added that the Washington administration is in close dialogue, particularly with Denmark.

Rubio noted that the framework agreement signed in Davos was an important stage for the commencement of technical negotiations on Greenland. Stating, "I think we are conducting a process that will allow us to reach a good outcome for everyone," Rubio conveyed that this process was on the agenda even before the Trump administration and that the US's European allies are also aware of the situation. Rubio said he is of the opinion that the Greenland issue will strengthen NATO rather than weaken it.

During the committee session, Rubio was also asked about allegations that US President Trump mistakenly said Iceland several times instead of Greenland during his speech in Davos. Secretary Rubio stated that this error occurred inadvertently, and supported Trump with the words, "He meant to say Greenland. We all know presidents who make mistakes while speaking. We have had such presidents before. Some have done much more than what this president has done."

In the speech in question, Trump had used the term Iceland instead of Greenland more than once. On the other hand, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had stated that the term "piece of ice" was used for Greenland in some places in Trump's text and that the media had misinterpreted this as Iceland.

News Source: 12punto