US Vice-President JD Vance says Greenland is "critical" for protecting the US and the world from possible Russian or Chinese missile attacks. He told Fox News that Denmark and Europe have "not done a good job" defending the island. Vance said they under-invested in Greenland's security and ignored President Trump's past push to buy the territory. The White House said US officials are "actively" discussing an offer to buy Greenland, a Danish semi-autonomous region. The idea of military action to seize it was mentioned but Denmark warned it could end NATO. Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly said the island is not for sale. Greenland is important due to its location between North America and the Arctic. It hosts the US Pituffik Space Base, a key site for missile defense since World War Two. The region also holds valuable resources like rare earth minerals, uranium, and possibly oil and gas as ice melts. Vance stressed, "People do not realise that the entire missile defence infrastructure is partially dependent on Greenland." He added, "If God forbid someone launched a nuclear missile, Greenland is a critical part of that missile defence." He asked if Europe and Denmark had done enough. "The answer is obviously they haven't," he said. Trump's push renewed after his military action in Venezuela. He first tried to buy Greenland in 2019, but Denmark refused. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will meet Danish officials soon. Meanwhile, European leaders from France, UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark issued a statement: "Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations." They stressed Arctic security must be handled together through NATO, respecting the UN Charter and the sovereignty of nations. Greenland's MP Aaja Chemnitz told the BBC Trump's comments are "a clear threat" and "completely disrespectful" to threaten annexation of a NATO ally. She said the US may pressure Greenland over time. Inuit hunter Aleqatsiaq Peary from Qaanaaq said US ownership would mean "switching from one master to another." He described loss under Danish rule and worries about the melting sea ice threatening his livelihood.