Apartment buildings in Nuuk, Greenland, March 12, 2025. /VCG

Greenlandic political leaders have firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's latest comments on the potential annexation of Greenland, emphasizing the need for unity and a strong stance against external pressure.

During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he believes the United States would annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Rutte responded that any discussion of Trump's intentions regarding Greenland fell outside his purview and that he did not want NATO involved in the matter.

Trump's statement was met with swift condemnation from Greenland's political leadership.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, chairman of Demokraatit and the leading figure in ongoing negotiations to form Greenland's next government, called Trump's remarks "inappropriate."

In a Facebook post, Nielsen urged Greenlanders to remain united against external pressure. "Trump's statement from the U.S. is inappropriate and once again shows that we must stand together in such situations," he wrote.

Incumbent Prime Minister Mute Egede also denounced Trump's comments, calling for an urgent meeting of Greenland's party leaders. "Once again, the American president has floated the idea of annexing us. I cannot, in any way, accept this," he wrote on social media.

Despite his expected departure from office following recent elections, Egede emphasized his responsibility to address the issue.

In Greenland's recent parliamentary elections, Demokraatit secured 29.9 percent of the vote, emerging as the largest party in parliament.