The annexation of Greenland would make Putin the happiest man in the world, said Sánchez.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned that a possible US invasion of Greenland would seriously damage NATO and legitimize Russian aggression against Ukraine.

In an interview with La Vanguardia newspaper published on Sunday, he said that such a move would "make Vladimir Putin the happiest man in the world."

"If the United States resorted to force, it would spell the end for NATO. Putin would be doubly satisfied," he said.

The comments come at a time when US President Donald Trump has once again taken a hard line against Europe on the issue of Greenland. On Saturday, he announced that additional 10% tariffs on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the United Kingdom would take effect on February 1.

From June 1, they are set to increase to 25 percent and remain in effect until the US receives approval to purchase Greenland.

The US president has repeatedly emphasized that he will only be satisfied with ownership of Greenland. However, both Denmark and the Greenlandic government insist that the island is not for sale and has no interest in becoming part of the United States.

(reuters, est)