Greenland's Prime Minister reaffirms ties with Denmark in the face of US threats.

Reuters - Residents of Nuuk, the snow-covered capital of Greenland, expressed support for the country remaining part of Denmark and called for a pause in independence discussions ahead of high-level talks in Washington on Wednesday, as US President Donald Trump intensifies his interest in the Arctic island.

The foreign ministers of Greenland and Denmark will meet with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Wednesday, following renewed threats to seize control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, reiterated Greenland's commitment to Denmark, ruling out the possibility of it becoming a US territory.

"We are facing a geopolitical crisis and, if we have to choose between the US and Denmark at this moment, we will choose Denmark," Nielsen told reporters in Copenhagen on Tuesday, alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. "We are united in the Kingdom of Denmark."

The political landscape in Greenland appears to be shifting, with leaders and residents focusing on long-term independence rather than immediate autonomy.

"Under the current circumstances, I think it would be wise for Greenland to commit to Denmark for a very, very long period and remain under NATO protection," said Finn Meinel, Nuuk's lawyer.

Some Greenland residents are worried about a possible US intervention. Charlotte Heilmann, a retiree from Nuuk, shared her reservations: "I can't imagine living as an American. We are part of Denmark and NATO, so I don't understand why he keeps saying he wants to take our country."

Casper Frank Moller, a tour operator, observed how the U.S. threats brought the inhabitants of Greenland closer together. "Last year, some people were still focused on quick independence. But, after what happened, there is more unity among us because we need to oppose this possible annexation. We hope that tomorrow's meeting will lead to a diplomatic solution."

For us, it's home.

Greenland has been moving towards greater autonomy since 1979. However, Minister Naaja Nathanielsen, responsible for business, energy and minerals, acknowledged that there is no rush for this to happen.

"For others, this may be just a piece of land, but for us, it is our home," she said in London. Nathanielsen added that the inhabitants of Greenland are happy to be part of Denmark and consider themselves allies of the US, not Americans.

The Trump administration has repeatedly asserted the strategic importance of Greenland to U.S. national security. White House officials have discussed various plans to bring Greenland under American control, including the possible use of U.S. military forces and one-time payments to Greenlanders as part of an attempt to persuade them to secede from Denmark.

The hardest part is yet to come.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart, Vivian Motzfeldt, requested the upcoming meeting in Washington in response to Trump's statements. Rasmussen emphasized the importance of resolving disputes diplomatically. "Our goal is to take the discussion to a meeting room where we can look each other in the eye," he said.

Denmark, which has administered Greenland for centuries, faces increasing pressure to strengthen its Arctic defenses in order to contain geopolitical tensions. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen plans to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels next week, with multinational NATO exercises in Greenland scheduled for 2026.

Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen acknowledged the challenges presented by growing US interest. "It's difficult to confront the US, our most important ally," she said on Tuesday. "But the hardest part may still be to come."