DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on European countries to conduct "immediate negotiations" about "the return of Greenland" to his country.
"The United States is capable of using force to take it although he does not intend to do so," President Trump warned in a special speech to the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos. He stressed that Greenland's appropriation to the United States represents a "core national security interest" for the United States, saying that Washington alone is able to "protect it" accusing Denmark to have done nothing to protect it.
The US President said his country has spent a lot (on NATO) but "never asked for anything," adding, "Today we are only asking for the return of Greenland" and that this "will not be a threat to NATO" but rather "a strengthening of its security and the security of the region." Trump also said that "Europe is not going in the right direction" considering that the continent's energy policies led to negative results for growth and living standards especially in "Europe not exploiting North Sea resources" stressing the necessity of establishing a "alliance of the west" on the issue of energy and migration.
Trump also said that his country is closely following the situation in the Gaza Strip and that it will monitor what happens during the "next two or three weeks" regarding the issue of (Hamas) weapons threatening with the possibility of carrying out military action during this period if no tangible changes occur.
He also pointed to the existence of "an ongoing problem with Hezbollah in Lebanon" describing the situation there as one of the "small fires" that threaten stability in the region.
Trump also addressed the war in Ukraine saying that Russia and Ukraine want to reach an agreement that he is in contact with both sides. He also announced to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later today in Davos confirming that they are approaching completion of an agreement to end the Russian-Ukrainian war in the near future.
According to local media in Switzerland Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff held a meeting with the special envoy of the Russian president Kirill Dmitriev, on the sidelines of the annual Davos meeting which the first described as "very good." Trump's speech comes after his threats to impose new customs tariffs on eight European countries until an agreement is reached regarding the complete ownership of Greenland.
The US President will meet today with some European leaders to discuss the issue of Greenland and the tariffs he imposed.
He will also announce the launch of the "Peace Council" tomorrow, Thursday, from Davos, in the presence of heads of state who agreed to join his initiative. (end) imk.gb