Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that U.S. threats over Greenland do not signal an imminent invasion and that the administration’s preferred goal is to purchase the island from Denmark.

His remarks came amid increasingly aggressive rhetoric from President Trump and senior officials, who have declined to rule out using military force to secure Greenland for national security reasons.

Rubio sought to downplay fears during a closed congressional briefing, saying there are no signs the U.S. is preparing a military operation, and allies have echoed that assessment.

Nevertheless, European leaders and some U.S. lawmakers are alarmed, warning that any U.S. attack on Greenland—a NATO territory—would effectively destroy the alliance, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

Denmark has responded by boosting Arctic security investments while firmly rejecting U.S. claims that force could be justified.