Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin (L) and Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee.RollingNews.ie

Ireland's Taoiseach and Minister of Foreign Affairs have both responded to US President Donald Trump's mounting desire for the US to acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory in Denmark.

"We need Greenland from a national security situation," Trump told reporters on Sunday, January 4, renewing his previously shared notions of the US acquiring Greenland.

"It's so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security.

"And Denmark is not gonna be able to do it, I can tell you. You know what Denmark did recently to boost up security in Greenland? They added one more dog sled."

When pressed about why the US needs Greenland, Trump responded: "We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security. And the European Union needs us to have it, and they know that."

In a statement on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region.

“The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal."

The intensified discussions prompted a joint statement from the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden on Tuesday, in which they wrote in part: "We collectively reiterate that matters concerning Denmark and Greenland are for Denmark and Greenland to decide alone."

Ireland "fully supports" Denmark's approach

In a separate statement on Wednesday, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said, without explicitly mentioning the US: "Recent developments have focused attention on the future of Greenland. This is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by Greenlandic people in line with well-established democratic principles and international law.

"This position is rooted in Ireland’s core values and our commitment to the international legal order. Ireland has consistently underlined that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter. 

"Ireland fully supports the approach of our fellow EU Member State Denmark. We will continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with Denmark and all relevant partners."

"Common sense needs to prevail"

Also on Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who is on an official visit to China, told reporters: "Greenland is part of Denmark, and the European Union is rock solid behind Denmark in that regard.

"And I think common sense needs to prevail.

"The US has always had a military base in Greenland, and I know the Danish Prime Minister has been engaged with the White House - very clear that around any issues that need to be resolved or need to be discussed or open for discussion in terms of the military base that's there. 

"But in terms of sovereignty and the territorial integrity, that's a matter for the Kingdom of Denmark and the Greenlanders, the population of Greenland themselves."

When asked about the White House saying it might "buy" Greenland, the Taoiseach replied: "I don't think that's realistic or possible in the future, that would be my observation on that."

@rtenews The Taoiseach has said that Greenland "is part of Denmark and the EU is rock-solid behind Denmark", responding to US President Donald Trump's earlier comments regarding the Danish territory in the Arctic. Mr Trump is discussing options including military action to take control of Greenland, the White House said yesterday, upping tensions that Denmark warns could destroy the NATO alliance. Speaking in Shanghai, where he is on an official visit, Micheál Martin said "common sense needs to prevail" on the issue. He also said he does not think it is "realistic or possible" for the US to buy Greenland. Go to link in bio for more #rtenews #greenland #donaldtrump #denmark ♬ original sound - RTÉ News

US military force not being ruled out

Later on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US "buying" Greenland was being "actively discussed by the President and his national security team."

Asked why military force is not being ruled out, Leavitt said "all options are always on the table for President Trump," adding that Trump's "first option, always, is diplomacy."