Rasmus Jarlov, head of the Danish parliament’s defense committee, has rejected US President Donald Trump’s claims that Greenland faces a threat from China and Russia.

Earlier, following the January 4 operation involving Venezuela, Trump said the United States «needs» Greenland because the Danish island is allegedly surrounded by Chinese and Russian vessels. He also suggested that if Washington does not obtain Denmark’s autonomous territory, it could supposedly end up in the hands of Russia or China.

Speaking to CNN, Jarlov said Greenland is not threatened by China or Russia. He stressed that neither Russia nor China is anywhere close to being able to take control of the island.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry had previously stated that neither Russia nor China has ever made territorial claims to Greenland, despite statements coming from Washington.

Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. However, Trump has repeatedly insisted that the island should become part of the United States. Danish and Greenlandic authorities have warned Washington against any attempt to seize the territory, saying they expect their territorial integrity to be respected.