Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said he was both "sad and grateful" after President Donald Trump reiterated his intention to secure the self-governing Danish territory for the U.S.
The prime minister added that "our decisions are made here" on the strategically important Arctic island.
Trump tapped Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, to be his special envoy to Greenland with a mission of making the world's largest island a part of the U.S. Trump sees Greenland as vital to U.S. national security because of increasing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic and the island's rich deposits of critical minerals.
But Trump's insistence that he will have Greenland has angered not only Greenlanders but also Denmark and other European allies of the U.S., who have been vocal in their opposition to the White House's approach to claiming a Danish territory for itself. The U.S. already has a military base on Greenland.
Nielsen said in a statement on Facebook, originally in Danish, that he was "sad because at a press conference last night the American president once again expressed a desire to take over Greenland."
"With such words, our country is reduced to a question of security and power. That is not how we see ourselves, and that is not how we in Greenland can or should be spoken about," Nielsen added.
He continued: "We are a people with a long history, a strong culture, and a vibrant democracy. We are a country that takes responsibility for our own territory and for our own future. Our territorial integrity and our right to self-determination are anchored in international law and cannot simply be ignored.
That is why I am also grateful. Thank you to those of you at home for the clear support and solidarity that have been shown. The calmness and dignity with which you have met the situation send a clear signal of a people who stand firm in their values and their responsibility."
Nielsen also extended thanks to "government leaders and partners around the world who have clearly and unequivocally expressed their respect for Greenland, for our democratic institutions, and for the fundamental principles of international law. That support confirms that we here at home do not stand alone."
He added: "Once again: Greenland is our country. Our decisions are made here. And I will at all times fight for our freedom and our right to decide for ourselves and shape our future."
