US President Donald Trump has ordered special forces commanders to prepare a plan for a possible invasion of Greenland, the British newspaper Daily Mail reported on Sunday.
According to the newspaper, the political “hawks” in Trump’s environment, after the success of the US military operation on January 3 in Venezuela, during which President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured, want to act quickly to occupy the island before Russia or China make a move.
Opposition of the military leadership
The report states that Trump has ordered the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to develop an invasion plan, but that the General Staff opposes the idea, saying such a move would be illegal and would not have the support of Congress.
Reactions from Greenland
On Friday, the leaders of the political parties in Greenland said that they want to be neither Americans nor Danes, but Greenlanders, reacting to Trump’s statements about taking over the island.
“The easy way or the hard way”
Speaking at the White House, Trump said the US would “do something about Greenland, whether they like it or not”, arguing that otherwise Russia or China could take control of the territory.
He added that he would like a solution “the easy way”, but that there is also a “hard way”.
Trump’s statements drew condemnation, with some European countries warning that such a move could threaten the future of NATO.
