Greenland’s leadership has firmly rejected renewed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about taking over the Arctic island, saying such ideas have no place between friendly nations. Denmark and several European allies also voiced strong support for Greenland’s right to decide its own future.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded sharply after Trump again spoke about acquiring the vast, resource-rich territory. Writing on Facebook late Sunday, Nielsen said, “Threats, pressure, and talk of annexation have no place between friends. Enough is enough. (…) No more fantasies about annexation.”

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, and its leaders have repeatedly stressed that only the people of Greenland can decide their future. Trump’s latest remarks revived concerns in Denmark and across Europe, especially given recent U.S. actions elsewhere.

Trump made the comments just one day after U.S. Special Forces carried out a dramatic operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro. Trump later said Washington planned to oversee governance of the oil-rich Latin American country. This development raised alarm in Denmark, where officials fear Greenland could be subjected to similar pressure.

Trump has openly expressed interest in Greenland for years. He first raised the idea during his first presidency in 2019 and has repeated it several times since. In an interview with The Atlantic magazine published on Sunday, Trump said, “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.”

He further indicated that the issue was not closed. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One early Monday, Trump said he would revisit the topic again soon, saying he would do so “in a few weeks.”

Adding to the tension, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland on December 21. Landry has publicly supported the idea of incorporating Greenland into the United States, a move that has further unsettled Danish and Greenlandic leaders.

Greenland’s strategic importance is a key reason behind Washington’s interest. Located between Europe and North America, the island plays a crucial role in the U.S. ballistic missile defence system. It is also rich in minerals, which fits with U.S. efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese exports. Despite this, Greenland and Denmark maintain that strategic interests do not justify threats or annexation talk.

Support for Greenland and Denmark came quickly from across Europe. Finnish President Alexander Stubb expressed solidarity in a post on X late Sunday, writing, “No one decides for Greenland and Denmark but Greenland and Denmark themselves. Our Nordic friend Denmark and @Statsmin have our full support.”

France also backed Greenland’s position. French officials stated that Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this stance during a visit to Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, last June. At that time, Macron warned that the island was under threat from “predatory ambition.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also reacted strongly to Trump’s comments. Speaking on Sunday, she said that U.S. statements about needing to take over Greenland made “absolutely no sense.” Her remarks underlined Denmark’s clear rejection of any suggestion that Greenland could be acquired or controlled by another country.

The strong and united response from Greenland, Denmark, and their European allies highlights growing concern over Trump’s renewed statements. While Greenland remains strategically important, its leaders continue to insist that its future will be decided only by its people, not by outside pressure or ambition.