Greenland not facing Venezuela-style scenario – US Secretary of State
Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ruled out the possibility of a US military invasion of Greenland following a Venezuela-style scenario, according to Le Figaro report citing French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
The French Foreign Minister stated that he received these assurances during a phone call with the US diplomatic head.
"I spoke by phone yesterday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He confirmed this was not an approach supported by the US," Barrot said.
He added that Rubio explicitly ruled out a repeat in Greenland of the scenario the US implemented in Venezuela.
The French Foreign Minister also stated that an attack by one NATO member on another would make no sense and run counter to US interests.
Barrot further stated that Greenland is European territory and will remain so.
Earlier, he said that "France is working with partners on a plan over how to respond should the United States act on its threat to take over Greenland."
Background
Greenland returned to the spotlight on Saturday after Katie Miller, the wife of US President Donald Trump's homeland security adviser Stephen Miller, shared a map of the island in American colors.
As early as Sunday, Donald Trump told reporters that he intends to "talk about Greenland in 20 days" and once again stressed that the US "absolutely" needs the Danish territory, claiming the island is allegedly "surrounded" by Russian and Chinese fleets.
These remarks came less than 24 hours after a US special operation in Venezuela, during which Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife were detained.
The developments sparked concern in Denmark and in Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark and a NATO member.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that if the US were to attack Greenland, it would mean the end of NATO.
