Greenland is the largest island on Earth. It is located in the northeastern part of North America and, from a physical geography perspective, belongs to it. However, politically, Greenland is associated with Europe. The largest island, along with smaller islands, forms an administrative autonomous unit of the same name, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that the defense budget for Greenland amounts to a "double-digit sum in billions" of kroner, or at least $1.5 billion.
The minister referred to the timing of Trump's comments about Greenland and Denmark's decision to allocate significant funds for the island's defense as an "irony of fate."
On Monday, Trump declared that ownership and control over Greenland is an "absolute necessity" for the United States.
Located in Greenland is a major American facility built during the Cold War, which is now likely not only inactive but also concealed beneath a thick layer of ice. The BBC notes that Greenland not only offers the shortest air route to Europe, but the island also contains significant deposits of minerals within its depths.