Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen sharply criticized the idea that the U.S. could take over Greenland as the US president’s move to “run” Venezuela set alarm bells ringing in the Nordic nation about America’s ambitions.

The prime minister urged the United States to cease its threats against Greenland, arguing that it had “no right to annex” the island.

“I have to say this very directly to the USA,” Frederiksen said. “It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the US to take over Greenland.”

Frederiksen emphasised that Denmark, “and thus Greenland” is part of the NATO and therefore covered by the alliance’s security guarantee.

She also pointed to a longstanding defence agreement that gives the US extensive access to Greenland. “We already have a defense agreement between the Kingdom and the United States which gives the US wide access to Greenland.”

She stressed that the Kingdom had significantly increased investment in security in the Arctic. “I would therefore strongly urge that the US stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people who have very clearly said that they are not for sale.”

It’s not clear if Frederiksen was responding to a specific statement. US president Trump has repeatedly talked of “needing Greenland.”

Greenland’s leader declared “This is enough. No more pressure. No more hints. No more fantasies about annexation,” and Denmark’s allies in Europe affirmed that the island’s future must be determined by its people, rebuffing renewed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about the island.

Trump spoke a day after the U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.

“We need Greenland from a national security situation. It’s so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” he said in response to a reporter’s question, adding the European Union “needs us to have it.”

Mr Trump last month claimed Russian and Chinese ships “were all over the place.”

“We need Greenland for national protection. They have a very small population. They say Denmark, but Denmark has spent no money. They have no military protection. They say Denmark was there 300 years ago or something with a boat. Well, we were there with boats too I’m sure. So, we’ll have to work it all out,” the president said two weeks ago during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago while he was announcing the construction of two Trump Class Battleships.

Trump went on to say that the U.S. wasn’t seeking to extract Greenland’s mineral wealth, but rather that he needs the island to help counter the influence of Russia and China, nations he accused of having ships in the region. “We need Greenland for national security. Not for minerals,” Trump told reporters.

“If you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” he said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X following the announcement that the EU stood “in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.”

“Arctic security remains a key priority for the European Union, and one in which we seek to work with allies and partners,” she said. “Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. These principles are essential not only for the European Union, but for nations around the world.”

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has revived his long-standing interest with Greenland, citing its strategic location.

Frederiksen’s comments came after Greenland’s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a post on Facebook the “rhetoric from the United States is completely and utterly unacceptable” and added: “When the president of the United States talks about “we need Greenland” and connects us with Venezuela and military intervention, it’s not just wrong. This is so disrespectful. Our country is not an object of superpower rhetoric. We are a people. A land. And democracy. This has to be respected. Especially by close and loyal friends.”

Nielsen’s post on Sunday came one day after the U.S. forces captured Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

The renewed push for annexation, as the officials from Denmark and Greenland call it, has been met with defiance from Nuuk and Copenhagen. Greenland’s prime minister has consistently rejected the idea that his country is up for sale.

As he said: “Threats, pressure and talk of annexation belong nowhere between friends. That’s not how you talk to a people who have repeatedly shown responsibility, stability and loyalty. This is enough. No more pressure. No more hints. No more fantasies about annexation. We are open for dialogue. We are open to conversations. But it has to be through the right channels and with respect to international law. Greenland is our home and our territory. And that’s how it continues to be.”

Finnish president Alexander Stubb on Sunday also wrote in a post on X: “No one decides for Greenland and Denmark but Greenland and Denmark themselves. Our Nordic friend Denmark and Statsministeriet (prime minister’s office of Denmark) have our full support.”

Need Greenland for security; Russian, Chinese ships all over the place: Trump