President Donald Trump made his intentions to acquire Greenland even more clear on Friday, arguing that the territory is important to fighting back against Russian and Chinese aggression.

Trump said the United States would take control of Greenland the “easy way” — by making a deal — or the “hard way,” which he didn’t elaborate on. The president made the comments on Greenland while taking questions from reporters at the White House during a roundtable with oil executives that focused on rejuvenating Venezuela’s oil industry.

“Right now, we are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not, because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland,” Trump said. “And we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor.”

“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,” he added.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this week that the U.S. military “is always an option at the commander-in-chief’s disposal” when discussing the national security importance of Greenland. Trump has suggested at times throughout his second term that the United States should take over Greenland, but following his recent move on Venezuela, the president has made Greenland a major focus of his foreign policy plans.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this week that the threat of Trump using military force on Greenland is important to his negotiating strategy. Rubio added that Trump prefers to purchase Greenland from Denmark, which oversees the autonomous territory and is a NATO ally.

After Trump revived his push for Greenland, the territory’s leaders, along with Denmark, pushed back and requested a meeting with Rubio.

“The strong request for a meeting is related to the U.S.’s claims about our country,” said Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeld, according to ABC News. “Unfortunately, our country’s request for a meeting for a long time has not been successful, although this has been repeatedly requested by our country.”

Denmark Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen also requested to meet with Rubio, and the U.S. secretary of State plans to meet with Denmark officials next week, ABC News reported.

European nations and Canada have expressed concern after Trump revived talk about taking over Greenland. In a joint statement from France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Denmark, European leaders said that “Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.” Canada and the Netherlands also endorsed the statement, Reuters reported.

Trump told reporters on Sunday that the United States needs “Greenland from the standpoint of national security and the European Union needs us to have it and they know that.” Trump’s adviser, Stephen Miller, then said on Monday, “Nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.”

Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), have also pushed back on the idea of the U.S. military being used to acquire Greenland. Johnson said, “I don’t think it’s appropriate,” while Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said that “even a modestly intelligent ninth grader knows that to invade Greenland would be weapons-grade stupid.”

“Now, President Trump is not weapons-grade stupid, nor is Marco Rubio. They do not plan to invade Greenland,” Kennedy added.

Fernando Mendoza has made a name for himself. You can call the Indiana quarterback “Heisman Winner,” “Player of the Year,” or by the nearly dozen other awards the junior has won from his record-setting season. Mendoza is using his name in this new Name, Image, and Likeness era to make millions, but he’s also using it to fight multiple sclerosis, a disease his mom Elsa has battled for 18 years.

With the help of local restaurants in Bloomington, Indiana, Mendoza is raising money for MS through the National MS Society.

The quarterback teamed up with BuffaLouie’s to make the “Mendoza Bros. Burger” and Gable’s Bagels for the “Mendoza Bros. Cubano.” Proceeds from both of those items go directly to the National MS Society.

“My mom means the world to me,” Mendoza said on his fundraiser site. “She’s the most caring and positive person I know, and I’ll keep doing everything I can to support her and others living with MS.”

Mendoza’s goal is to raise $150,000 for the foundation. He has received $144,443 so far through his campaign.

In a letter penned to The Players’ Tribune, Elsa said her son has helped her not feel embarrassed about the degenerative disease.

“When you have to carry me up the stairs, you’ve always kept that same spark in your eye,” Elsa wrote. “No matter what kind of state I’ve been in, or day I’ve been having, you’ve never once looked away. You’ve never once treated me like I’m embarrassing, or deficient, or anything other than someone you love and are standing by.”

In the emotional letter, Elsa opened up about raising Mendoza as a young mom in Boston. She said her firstborn always felt like her closest buddy. Together, the two navigated the Miami native’s first Boston winter. All these years later, Mendoza is still helping his mom, just in different ways.

“Even as my condition has gotten worse, and as our lives continue to change around that fact. You manage to make me feel like I’m still every part of myself,” Elsa said. “Like I’m still that same person you’ve been teammates with since we got through our first Boston winter together. Like I’m still that same mom.”

Their bond took center stage at the Heisman ceremony in December, where Mendoza, through tear-filled eyes, dedicated the trophy to his mom.

“Mommy, this is your trophy as much as mine. You’ve always been my biggest fan. You’re my light. You’re my why. You’re my biggest supporter. Your sacrifices, courage, love, those have been my first playbook and the playbook that I’m going to carry through my entire life. You taught me that toughness doesn’t need to be loud. It can be quiet and strong. It’s choosing hope. It’s believing in yourself when the world doesn’t give you much reason to. Together, you and I are rewriting what people think is impossible. I love you.”

Mendoza said he’s using his platform to achieve his goal of “a world free of MS.”

“The money raised through this campaign will help fund MS research, programs, and services so people affected by MS can live their best lives.”

Mendoza is arguably living his best life right now as he gears up to take on Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinal Friday night. He credits the success he and Indiana are having this season to his mom.

“To see her optimistic and positive approach with all that she’s battling has given myself no excuse for complacency throughout my life — whether it’s academics or football,” Mendoza said on a recent podcast. “To see her fight and see her struggle and then get better … it’s been so inspiring to myself.”

When Mendoza takes the field against Oregon, the spotlight will shine bright on college football’s best player, and he embraces it — knowing he’s making an impact for his mom, the person he cares about most.