US President Donald Trump reiterated on Wednesday that with Greenland in his country's “hands,” NATO will be much more effective, adding that “anything less than that is unacceptable.”

“NATO becomes much more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the United States. Anything less than that is unacceptable,” Trump said in a message on his Truth Social network.

The US leader again defended his interest in the strategic island, under Danish sovereignty, on the very same day that representatives from Denmark, Greenland, and the US are holding a meeting to discuss Washington's intentions to annex the territory.

The US capital will host the meeting, which will be attended by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“The United States needs Greenland for its national security. It is vital to the 'Golden Dome' we are building,” the US president added, referring to the ambitious missile defense system he has proposed to protect the country from space.

According to Trump, “NATO should lead the way for us to get it. If we don't, Russia or China will, and that's not going to happen!”

“Militarily, without the vast power of the United States,” he specified, “much of which I built during my first term and which I am now raising to a new and even higher level, NATO would not be an effective or deterrent force, not by a long shot! They know it, and so do I.”

Denmark and Greenland, whose autonomy statute recognizes the island's right to self-determination, have criticized the US threats, while also expressing openness to increased cooperation with Washington.