President Donald Trump on Friday again pushed for U.S. control of Greenland, telling reporters that action on the Arctic island was inevitable.

“We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not,” Trump said while hosting oil executives at the White House for discussions on energy investments in Venezuela.

He argued that U.S. involvement in Greenland is necessary for national security, claiming that without American action, Russia or China could expand their influence there. “If we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor,” Trump said.

The president has repeatedly stated his desire to acquire Greenland, either through purchase or, if necessary, by military means. His comments continue to draw strong opposition from Greenlandic and Danish officials, as well as European allies.

“Greenland is not for sale,” said Jacob Isbosethsen, Greenland’s head of representation to the United States, speaking to reporters Thursday after a closed-door meeting with members of Congress. He pointed to clear statements from Greenland’s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt affirming that the island belongs to its people.

Asked Friday how much money it would take to persuade Greenland to accept his proposal, Trump said, “I’m not talking about money for Greenland yet. I might talk about that.”

He added, “I would like to make a deal — the easy way. But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”