It definitely wasn’t an apology. Trump said this to get a reaction from the countries who had effectively put an end to him obtaining Greenland. Just like a little kid who can’t have his own way and says something nasty to hurt their feelings. He then feels guilty and in effect says he didn’t mean it but refrains from saying the ‘S’word.
It really is like dealing with a little kid.
No mention of the other NATO members who sacrificed lives 