NATO begins planning "Arctic Sentry" mission amid Greenland dispute

BRUSSELS, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- NATO has begun military planning for an "Arctic Sentry" mission to enhance vigilance as tensions persist between the United States and European allies over Greenland, a NATO official said Tuesday.

"We can confirm that planning for Arctic Sentry is underway," a NATO official told Xinhua, without providing further details.

The official was also confirming an earlier report citing Martin O'Donnell, a spokesman for NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, who said planning had begun for "Arctic Sentry," an activity that would further strengthen NATO's posture in the Arctic and the High North.

The move comes after repeated comments by U.S. President Donald Trump that he wants to acquire Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, sparking strong opposition across Europe.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in an interview with Danish Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday that despite the resumption of diplomatic talks with the U.S. government, Washington's desire to take over Greenland remains. Enditem