European stocks were in mixed territory on Wednesday morning, as regional market jitters grow over U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to annex Greenland.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 was little changed shortly after the opening bell, with sectors and major regional bourses in mixed territory.

Following the U.S.′ capture and arrest of Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro, global market attention is swiftly turning to President Trump's intentions when it comes to Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

The president and his team are considering "a range of options" in order to acquire Greenland — including "utilizing the U.S. Military," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNBC on Tuesday.

Trump has insisted that the U.S. needs the Arctic island for national security purposes and, this week, pointed to Russian and Chinese activities in the region.

Greenland and Denmark have both repeatedly said that the country is not up for grabs, and European leaders on Tuesday issued a statement that said, "Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

In a separate statement on Tuesday evening, Danish Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Denmark had decided to spend 88 billion Danish kroner ($13.8 billion) on rearming Greenland given "the serious security situation we find ourselves in."

"I hope that the United States also recognizes that fact and is ready to cooperate on our common interest in Arctic security," he said. "Because Denmark would like to continue to be an ally of the United States. But that requires a mutual willingness to show respect and cooperation."

European defense stocks moved higher on Wednesday morning, with the Stoxx Europe Aerospace and Defense index adding around 1% — putting it on course for its fourth consecutive day of gains.

Source : CNBC