Finland's Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) told Yle's breakfast TV show on Friday morning that relations with the United States will continue as normal after Donald Trump enters the White House for his second term as president.
With the Trump administration set to take power once again from Monday 20 January, Häkkänen noted that the building of official relations will begin little by little.
"The people elect a leader for their own country, who can do or not do things. In any case, cooperation will continue in one form or another," Häkkänen said.
The Finnish defence minister's comments come in the wake of the widespread reporting this week of Trump's statements on Greenland.
Speaking at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Tuesday, Trump said he wants the US to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, noting that both are crucial to US national security.
He also declined to rule out using military or economic force to obtain those objectives.
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, which itself is a Nato ally of the US.
"As far as relations between Denmark and Greenland are concerned, they are internal Danish issues," Häkkänen told Yle, but added that Trump's statements must be taken seriously.
"Of course, there have been some colourful words used about different things, but the truth is often more realistic," he said.
The All Points North podcast asked what Donald Trump's second term means for Finland. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Häkkänen: Nato remains united
Despite Trump's rhetoric, Häkkänen said that Nato member states remain calm.
"Greenland and the rest of the Arctic are also directly related to the immediate security interests of the United States. This is nothing new, it has been the subject of very significant interest since the 1950s," Häkkänen said.
He added that the first meeting with the Trump-led administration will reveal more about the future plans.
"There is a very determined, united spirit in the alliance" Häkkänen said.