The French president is visiting the Danish autonomous territory on Sunday. He will meet with Greenland's prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and Denmark's prime minister, Mette Frederiksen.

Saturday's flight marks the first direct passage between the U.S. and the Arctic island in nearly 20 years. In 2007, Air Greenland launched a route between Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Kangerlussuaq Airport, some 315 kilometers (195 miles) north of Nuuk. It was scrapped the following year due to cost.

As Trump vows to "get Greenland," direct flights from the U.S. are starting − on his birthday. Who will visit? What kind of reception will they get?

Denmark approves bill allowing US military bases with sweeping powers over Danish civilians. Critics warn of sovereignty loss amid Greenland dispute.

To address concerns voiced by Trump that Denmark could not defend Greenland in the face of Russian or Chinese confrontation, Frederiksen says it would be a priority for Denmark to step up its defense role in the Arctic in partnership with other NATO countries as well as to do more on Europe's eastern frontier.

I sure as hell hope' the Pentagon does not have plans to invade Greenland, Rep. Mike Turner said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would not deny it.

This move comes as President Donald Trump seeks to take control of the kingdom's semi-autonomous territory of Greenland.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to nod that the Pentagon has developed plans to invade Greenland and Panama by force if the deal isn’t made willingly but refused to answer questions on using Signal chats to talk about military operations during a congressional hearing on Thursday (June 12).