WASHINGTON/OSLO - US President Donald Trump on Sunday stressed that the United States needs Greenland "for defense," claiming that Venezuela may not be the last country subject to US intervention, according to The Atlantic.

"We do need Greenland, absolutely," Trump said in a phone interview with the magazine. The island, located in the Arctic, is part of Denmark.

It was up to others to decide what the large-scale US strike against Venezuela means to Greenland, Trump said.

"They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don't know," Trump said. "You know, I wasn't referring to Greenland at that time. But we do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Sunday that the United States has no right to annex Greenland, urging Washington to stop making threats against a close ally and the Greenlandic people.

ALSO READ: Danish PM rebukes 'closest ally' in New Year address amid Greenland tensions

"I have to say it very directly to the United States," Frederiksen said in a statement. She rejected the idea that it would be necessary for the United States to take over Greenland, stressing that "the United States has no right to annex" any of the three parts of the Danish Realm -- Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Throughout last year, Trump has frequently repeated the same call for the United States to take over Greenland, which triggered strong objections from Greenland, Denmark and the European Union.

The Trump administration has cited a combination of national security concerns, Arctic strategy, and the potential of critical minerals and natural resources as drivers of US interest in controlling Greenland.

Trump said on Saturday the United States will "run" Venezuela after the US military raided the country and took Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife by force.

ALSO READ: Trump renews call to take over Greenland despite strong objections

The international community is deeply shocked by the Trump administration's raid on Venezuela and Maduro. Many countries have issued statements strongly condemning the blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said on Sunday that countries' sovereignty must be respected after Trump again asserted that the US needs Greenland.

"The fact that he says it again reminds us how important it is to stand up for fundamental principles. One must respect countries' sovereignty," Eide told Norwegian broadcaster NRK in an interview.

He said Norway, like other European countries, stands in solidarity behind Denmark, adding that any internal changes in the Danish Realm would be for Danish and Greenlandic people to decide, and no one else.

READ MORE: Danish PM slams alleged US interference in Greenland as ‘unacceptable’

He also noted there is no direct link between the US intervention in Venezuela and Denmark or Greenland, citing different historical contexts.

Last month, Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the US special envoy to Greenland, renewing diplomatic tension between Washington and the Danish Realm.

Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control of Greenland, saying that he would not rule out the use of "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal.