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Scholz believes NATO should step up its presence in Greenland

According to German Chancellor, the principle of inviolability of borders should apply to everyone

BERLIN, February 8. /TASS/. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he believes that NATO should expand its presence in Greenland given US President Donald Trump's push to take over the island.

According to Scholz, the principle of inviolability of borders should apply to everyone.

"Climate change is changing the Arctic region, opening up new shipping lanes in which China and Russia have a great interest. So there are legitimate security issues that we need to discuss with each other within NATO. In my opinion, we should increase NATO's presence in Greenland," Scholz told the RND media organization.

"As chancellor of the largest EU country, I consider it my duty to keep my back straight and speak clearly when a challenge is issued to a small country like Denmark," he said.

However, Scholz said he will continue to do his best to maintain good relations with Washington "even when things get more difficult."

Trump stated on January 7 that Greenland should become part of the US and threatened to slap high trade tariffs on Denmark if it doesn’t give up the island. He suggested during his first presidential term that the US could buy Greenland. Both Greenlandic and Danish officials dismissed the proposal.

Greenland is part of Denmark as an autonomous territory. In 1951, Washington and Copenhagen signed the Greenland Defense Treaty, agreeing that the US will defend the island from external aggression. The island hosts a US base, Pituffik Space Base, which plays a role in the missile warning system and surveillance of the Arctic region.

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