Trump's Choice Of National Security Adviser Calls Greenland Important To The United States

JAKARTA - United States Congressman Mike Waltz said Wednesday, Greenland was critical to US national security, following US President-elect Donald Trump's comments suggesting taking over the island.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump's Waltz, who Trump chose to become National Security Adviser, was asked about the president-elect's desire to control the Arctic island.

"Russia is trying to become the king of the Arctic, with more than 60 ice-breakers, some of which are nuclear-powered," he said.

"We have two, and one has just caught fire," he continued.

Trump, who will take office on January 20, refused to rule out the possibility of using military or economic action to acquire the island, Denmark's autonomy region.

In his first term of office, Trump suggested that Denmark sell Greenland, but the Danish government rejected the idea.

Previously, Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede had also stated the island was not for sale.

Meanwhile, the Greenland Government on Wednesday acknowledged changes to the security dynamics in the Arctic, saying it hopes to cooperate with the upcoming Trump administration and other NATO allies to ensure security and stability in the region.

Greenland, which is part of NATO through Denmark membership, is on the shortest path between Europe and North America, strategically important to the US military and its ballistic missile early warning system.