The United States is pursuing the acquisition of Greenland through negotiations rather than military action, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told congressional leaders, as tensions rise over the Arctic territory between Washington, Copenhagen, and NATO allies.During a closed-door briefing on Monday, Rubio tried to ease concerns that recent strong rhetoric from the White House pointed to an imminent attempt to take control of the strategically important island.
According to people familiar with the discussion, Rubio said the administration’s objective was to pressure Denmark into talks over purchasing Greenland, not to carry out a military operation.The Wall Street Journal first reported Rubio’s remarks, which came amid increasingly forceful public statements by President Donald Trump and senior officials.
Trump has repeatedly described Greenland as critical to US national security, pointing to growing competition with Russia and China in the Arctic. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president was considering “a range of options” and did not rule out the use of military force.Rubio’s comments followed questions from Senate Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, about whether the administration was planning military action in Greenland or elsewhere.
His remarks were intended to reassure lawmakers concerned that diplomatic approaches might be sidelined.Despite these assurances, the administration has sent conflicting messages. Senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller said on television that military measures had not been ruled out, while Trump has publicly stated that Greenland is essential to US national security.
European capitals have reacted with concern to the possibility of force being used against a NATO ally. Officials from several member states warned that any attempt to seize Greenland militarily would damage the alliance and threaten long-standing security cooperation. Leaders in Denmark and Greenland have emphasized that the island, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, is not for sale and has the right to determine its own future.Polls show that most of Greenland’s population opposes becoming part of the United States, adding further complexity to the issue.Rubio’s efforts to reassure lawmakers highlight growing unease in Washington over how to handle Greenland’s future.
While the official stance stresses diplomacy, continued references to military options reflect broader concerns about the Arctic’s strategic importance and the risk of friction with allies as the US presses Denmark to negotiate.