President Trump restated his belief this week that Greenland will eventually become part of the United States. “I think it’ll happen,” Trump said when asked by a reporter about the possible U.S. annexation of the massive but sparsely populated Arctic island during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday.

President Donald Trump told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday that U.S. control of Greenland is necessary to enhance international security, escalating his campaign to annex the strategic Arctic island.

Donald Trump has repeatedly raised the prospect of annexing Greenland and making it part of the United States. The Arctic island's politicians and residents have baulked at the idea.