Denmark's sovereignty is an "essential issue" for the EU, the European Council President said in an interview on Wednesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to express interest in claiming Greenland for the United States.

In an exclusive interview with Euronews on Wednesday, EU Council President Antonio Costa said the territorial integrity of Denmark is an "essential issue" for the European Union. View on euronews

The prime minister does a European tour while announcing more spending on security around the island, following President Trump’s stated desire to have Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory, as part of the U.

Denmark has reiterated that the United States will never take control of Greenland, despite repeated interest from U.S. President Donald Trump. The Arctic territory, which has remained under the Danish crown since 1814,

President Trump told Denmark’s leader he wanted to take over Greenland, European officials say. Denmark has asked its E.U. allies not to inflame the situation until Mr. Trump’s intentions are clearer.