Donald Trump has said "I think it will happen" when asked whether the US will take over Greenland.

The US president told reporters in the White House that his country needs the Arctic territory, which is currently owned by Denmark, for "national security". He was sat next to NATO chief Mark Rutte, who declined to talk about the issue when he suggested he could help him acquire it.

Asked whether the US will be able to successfully acquire Greenland, Trump said: "Well I think it will happen, I'm just thinking, I didn't give it much thought - but I'm sitting with a man who could be very instrumental".

He then told Mr Rutte: "You know Mark, we need it for international security, not just security, but international", saying the US had to be "careful" because of other countries "cruising around the coasts". The Secretary General of NATO replied: "When it comes to Greenland, I don't want to drag NATO into that.

"But when it comes to the Arctic you're totally right. The Chinese are now using these routes, we know the Russians are re-arming, we know we have a lack of ice-breakers. Certain Arctic countries working together on this under US leadership is very important - we know things are changing, but we have to be there."

Trump first floated a proposal to buy the island during his first term in 2019, and has more recently stepped up his threats to take it, claiming it is vital for US "national security". In a major speech before a joint session of Congress this month, he told lawmakers: "One way or the other we're gonna get it".

But on Wednesday, Greenland's likely new prime minister rejected Donald Trump's efforts to take control of the island, saying its citizens must be allowed to decide their own future as they move towards independence from Denmark. Jens-Frederik Nielsen's Demokraatit, a pro-business party that favours a slow path towards independence from Denmark, won a surprise victory this week after voters went to the ballot box for a crucial parliamentary election.

A recent opinion poll in Greenland meanwhile showed that the vast majority of the population - a total of 85% - are opposed to joining the US. The survey, carried out by Verian, showed just 6% in favour of Trump's proposal, with 9% undecided. Greenland is currently a self-governing territory of Denmark, with Copenhagen maintaining control over its foreign policy, defence, and security but delegating matters on domestic affairs.