Greenland has firmly rejected any notion of joining the United States, pushing back against renewed annexation rhetoric from US President Donald Trump and reaffirming its place within the Kingdom of Denmark amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen made the island’s position unambiguous during a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, saying that if forced to choose, Greenland would stand with Denmark rather than Washington. Calling the present moment a “geopolitical crisis,” Nielsen said the island preferred the status quo and was not prepared to gamble its future under external pressure.

“We choose the Greenland we know today,” Nielsen said, underlining that the territory remains an integral part of the Danish realm. His remarks suggest that Greenland’s long-discussed independence ambitions are being temporarily set aside in favour of unity and stability.

The statement comes just ahead of crucial talks in Washington, where Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers are scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. The objective is to cool tensions and repair strained relations following Trump’s repeated assertions that the United States should take control of the strategically vital Arctic island.

Trump, however, responded sharply, dismissing Nielsen’s stance and warning it could lead to “a big problem,” reiterating that US interests in Greenland remain non-negotiable.

While Greenland has debated independence from Denmark for decades, public opinion remains firmly opposed to becoming part of the United States. Elections held last year reflected that mood, with a strong majority backing parties advocating a gradual and cautious path toward self-rule rather than abrupt geopolitical realignment.

European capitals are also watching closely. Several countries, led by the UK and Germany, are reportedly exploring a coordinated security presence in Greenland to signal Europe’s commitment to Arctic stability and international law. German officials have stressed that security in the North Atlantic must be managed multilaterally, hinting at diplomatic efforts to contain Washington’s ambitions without escalating tensions.

Greenland has firmly rejected any notion of joining the United States, pushing back against renewed annexation rhetoric from US President Donald Trump and reaffirming its place within the Kingdom of Denmark amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen made the island’s position unambiguous during a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, saying that if forced to choose, Greenland would stand with Denmark rather than Washington. Calling the present moment a “geopolitical crisis,” Nielsen said the island preferred the status quo and was not prepared to gamble its future under external pressure.

“We choose the Greenland we know today,” Nielsen said, underlining that the territory remains an integral part of the Danish realm. His remarks suggest that Greenland’s long-discussed independence ambitions are being temporarily set aside in favour of unity and stability.

The statement comes just ahead of crucial talks in Washington, where Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers are scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. The objective is to cool tensions and repair strained relations following Trump’s repeated assertions that the United States should take control of the strategically vital Arctic island.

Trump, however, responded sharply, dismissing Nielsen’s stance and warning it could lead to “a big problem,” reiterating that US interests in Greenland remain non-negotiable.

While Greenland has debated independence from Denmark for decades, public opinion remains firmly opposed to becoming part of the United States. Elections held last year reflected that mood, with a strong majority backing parties advocating a gradual and cautious path toward self-rule rather than abrupt geopolitical realignment.

European capitals are also watching closely. Several countries, led by the UK and Germany, are reportedly exploring a coordinated security presence in Greenland to signal Europe’s commitment to Arctic stability and international law. German officials have stressed that security in the North Atlantic must be managed multilaterally, hinting at diplomatic efforts to contain Washington’s ambitions without escalating tensions.