By Kit Maher, Ivana Kottasová, Jennifer Hansler

(CNN) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that “anything less” than US control of Greenland is “unacceptable,” arguing the United States needs the territory for national security purposes, which could in turn strengthen NATO.

“NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES,” Trump wrote in an early morning Truth Social post. “Anything less than that is unacceptable.”

The post came ahead of a meeting Vice President JD Vance hosted at the White House Wednesday with the Danish foreign minister and his Greenlandic counterpart alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

That meeting yielded few tangible results, with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen noting that he and his Greenlandic colleague had “a frank but also constructive discussion” with Rubio and Vance, but their “perspectives continue to differ.”

Still, Rasmussen said the parties have agreed to form “a high-level working group to explore if we can find a common way forward” that is expected to meet in the coming weeks.

“We agreed that it makes sense to try to sit down on a high level to explore whether there’s possibilities to accommodate the concerns of the president while we at the same time, respect the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark. So this is the work we will start,” he said at a press conference after the meeting.

“I must say, the president has made his view clear, and we have a different position,” Rasmussen said, noting that Denmark continues to believe that the long-term security “can be ensured inside the current framework.”

“Ideas that would not respect territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of self-determination of the Greenlandic people are, of course, totally unacceptable,” he said. “We therefore still have a fundamental disagreement, but we also agree to disagree, and therefore we will, however, continue to talk.”

CNN spotted Vance and Rubio walking together out of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building toward the West Wing entrance following the morning meeting.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday afternoon, Trump told reporters that he was about to be briefed on the meeting and expressed some optimism.

“I have a very good relationship with Denmark,” he said. ““We’ll see how it all works out. I think something will work out.”

In the earlier social media post, Trump reiterated his assertion that acquiring Greenland, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark, is essential for US national security. He added that it is “vital for the Golden Dome that we are building,” in reference to the missile defense system the Pentagon is developing. He also argued that NATO leaders should be pushing for the United States to have Greenland.

“NATO should be leading the way for us to get it. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! Militarily, without the vast power of the United States, much of which I built during my first term, and am now bringing to a new and even higher level, NATO would not be an effective force or deterrent - Not even close! They know that, and so do I,” Trump wrote in the post.

On Tuesday, Trump dismissed comments from Greenland’s Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who said at a news conference in Copenhagen: “Greenland does not want to be owned by the USA. Greenland does not want to be governed by the USA. Greenland will not be part of the USA. We choose the Greenland we know today, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”

In response, Trump said, “That’s their problem. I disagree with him. I don’t know who he is. Don’t know anything about him, but that’s going to be a big problem for him.”

Several factors, accentuated by the climate crisis, make Greenland an important strategic region, such as its geopolitical position, its rich natural resources (including oil, gas and rare earth minerals) and the potential northern shipping routes around it.

While Trump has downplayed the significance of Greenland’s natural resources, Mike Waltz highlighted last year when he was Trump’s incoming national security adviser that the administration’s focus on the territory was also “about critical minerals” and “natural resources.”

Denmark increases military presence in Greenland

As Trump continues threatening to take Greenland, the government of Greenland and Denmark’s Ministry of Defense announced there would be an increased military presence in and around the territory starting Wednesday due to “security tensions.”

Denmark said its armed forces were “deploying capacities and units in connection with exercise activities from today, which will result in an increased military presence in and around Greenland of aircraft, ships and soldiers, including from NATO allies, in the coming period.”

It added that the expanded exercise activities could include guarding critical infrastructure, providing assistance to Greenlandic authorities – including police – receiving allied troops, deploying fighter aircraft in and around Greenland, and naval operations.

Sweden has also sent an unspecified number of troops to Greenland, following Denmark’s request to do so, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on X. Norway’s Ministry of Defense said Wednesday it is sending two military personnel, and the German Defense Ministry said it is sending 13 personnel to “participate in an exploration mission in Greenland from January 15 to 17, 2026, together with other European nations.”

European leaders have rejected Trump’s calls to control Greenland. French President Emmanuel Macron warned Wednesday that the knock-on effects of the US trying to seize Greenland from Denmark would be “unprecedented.”

“We do not underestimate the statements regarding Greenland. If the sovereignty of a European and allied country were to be affected, the knock-on consequences would be unprecedented,” Macron said, according to his government’s spokesperson. He added that France is monitoring the situation and “will conduct its actions in full solidarity with Denmark and its sovereignty.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reiterated that Greenland belongs to its people, so it is up to Denmark and Greenland to decide its future.

“For me, it is important Greenlanders know … that we respect (their) wishes and they, they can count on us,” she added.

Trump suggested over the weekend that he would move forward with his goal to acquire Greenland with or without a deal.

“I’d love to make a deal with them. It’s easier. But one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

Asked about the possibility of the move compromising NATO, Trump said, “I’m the one that saved NATO.”

He stopped short of saying he would pull the US out of NATO, adding, “maybe they would be upset” if he took Greenland but expressing indifference about the effects of such a move: “If it affects NATO, then it affects NATO.”

Pressed by CNN on Sunday whether he would increase the amount of US military bases on Greenland in the meantime, Trump said, “We could put a lot of soldiers there right now if I want, but you need more than that. You need ownership. You really need title.”

This story has been updated with additional information.

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