NATO is weighing up sending fighter jets to Greenland – as European allies continue to bolster the Danish island’s defences.

Moscow has condemned Donald Trump‘s rhetoric on seizing the territory, while also blasting “Western” claims that Russia or China pose a threat to the mineral-rich isle.

Eurofighter jets may be deployed to Greenland in the face of mounting fears that an invasion of the strategically key territory may take place, a German defence spokesperson said.

The move will be decided following a Denmark-led intelligence operation – which will also determine whether maritime surveillance is possible with frigates.

Berlin said: “It is a matter of looking at whether the Arctic is secure and to what extent we can contribute to this together with our Nato partners.

“This involves planning exercises, for example with P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft… the deployment of frigates or other naval units for maritime surveillance (and) the deployment of Eurofighters is also possible.”

On Friday, the Kremlin said Russia considered Greenland to be Danish territory.

Vladimir Putin‘s cronies said the current situation surrounding the self-ruling island was “extraordinary”.

Nato allies including France, Sweden, Germany and Norway announced on Wednesday that they would deploy troops to the Danish isle as part of Operation Arctic Endurance.

Analysts claim that Denmark and Nato’s decision to send military personnel to Greenland is protection against a possible US invasion.

But European military officials have not suggested their goal is to deter a US move against the island.

It comes after a delegation of US lawmakers met with Danish and Greenlandic leaders on Friday in Copenhagen.

Buying Greenland 'could cost Trump $700bn' as White House talks kick off & Denmark deploys extra soldiers to ice island

GREENLAND HITS BACK

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They reassured them of congressional support – despite the fact Trump has not dialled down his threats on seizing the territory.

The US president says Greenland is vital to US security because of its strategic location and large supply of minerals.

He has not ruled out using military action to annex the isle.

The 11 US lawmakers met Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Trump’s special envoy to Greenland has also revealed how he plans to visit the Danish territory in March – and that he believes a deal can be made.

Jeff Landry told Fox News: “I do believe that there’s a deal that should and will be made once this plays out.

“The president is serious. I think he’s laid the markers down. He’s told Denmark what he’s looking for.”

It comes after crunch talks in the White House on Wednesday, where Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt met Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.

Copenhagen said after the meeting they had failed to change the Trump administration’s stance on acquiring Greenland.

A “fundamental disagreement” still remained over who the island’s future owner should be.

Fears of a looming US invasion in the Arctic are growing after Trump said “anything less” than complete US control of Greenland is “unacceptable”.

France, Sweden and Germany have already sent military personnel to Greenland, joining Denmark in a bid to strengthen the island’s security this week.

Trump has hit out at the alliance’s reaction saying it isn’t an “effective force or deterrent” without America by its side.

Buying Greenland could cost Trump an eye watering $700 billion, former US officials told NBC.

It attaches a price tag of more than half of the Defence Department’s annual budget to the island, stoking fears the US may opt to seize the territory by force.

Norweigans are also fearing that Trump or Putin may target their Arctic islands next if Greenland is invaded.

As tensions grow over Greenland, Norway could soon have to prepare itself for a similar debate over their Arctic archipelago, Svalbard.

The island is best known for its roaming polar bears and views of the Northern Lights but it may soon become the next target for global superpowers looking to seize control of the Arctic.

The Svalbard Treaty gives Norway “full and absolute sovereignty” over the archipelago but its strategic location could place its ownership under scrutiny.

Should Trump invade Greenland and bypass both Danish and Nato pleas then it could give Putin an opportunity to force his way onto Svalbard.

Washington would have little reason to verbally bash the Kremlin for the move due to their own Greenland ploy.