"We do not want to be American, we do not want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlandic," leaders of five parties in Greenland's parliament said in a joint statement on 9/1.

"Greenland's future must be decided by the people of Greenland. No other nation should interfere in this matter. We must decide our own future, without pressure to make hasty decisions and without interference from other nations," they emphasized.

Church of Our Savior in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, in 3/2025. *Photo: AFP*

The message came after US President Donald Trump reiterated that Washington would "execute its plan for Greenland, whether they want it or not."

"We will not let Russia or China control Greenland. That is what they will do if we do not act. Therefore, we will execute our plan for Greenland, whether gently or by more difficult means," Trump said.

Russia and China have both increased military activity in the region around Greenland in recent years, but neither has claimed sovereignty over the island.

Greenland is the world's largest island and a self-governing territory of Denmark, with a population of 57,000 people and an area of approximately 2,16 million km2, larger than Mexico and more than three times the size of the US state of Texas. Greenland has its own parliament and government, but Denmark retains decision-making power over foreign affairs and defense.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a US "attack" on Greenland would end "everything," including the joint NATO defense treaty and the post-World War II security structure.

Trump previously offered to buy Greenland in 2019 during his first presidential term but was rejected.