Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Tuesday that he is disappointed that US President Donald Trump has been intensifying a push to take control of the autonomous Arctic territory.

In a post on his Facebook page, Nielsen said he is "sad" because Trump had again "reduced our country to a question of security and power."

Nielsen said Greenland is responsible for its own future, and that its territorial integrity and Greenlanders' right to self-determination "cannot simply be ignored."

Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but has its own government and parliament.

A poll in January found a majority of Greenland's 57,000 people favor independence from Denmark, but do not want to be part of the US.

"Greenland is our country. This is where our decisions are made. And at any time I will fight for our freedom and our right to self-determination and shape our future," Nielsen said.

Why does Trump want Greenland?

Since returning to the White House for his second term, Trump has repeatedly said he wants the US to annex Greenland, despite firm objections from authorities in Greenland and Denmark.

On Sunday, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the new US special envoy to Greenland to "lead the charge."

Landry has pledged to make the territory "a part of the US," even though it is part of Denmark — a US ally and fellow member of NATO.

Copenhagen has since summoned the US ambassador to Denmark over Landry's remarks.

On Monday, Trump once again insisted that Washington intends to seize Greenland, arguing that the move is meant to protect US interests and not to exploit the territory's natural resources.

"We need Greenland for national security. Not for minerals," the US leader said. "We have to it."

How have European leaders reacted?

In his Facebook post, Nielsen thanked the people of Greenland for their "calmness and dignity." He also thanked the territory's partners and world leaders "who have clearly and unequivocally" backed Greenland.

"The support confirms that we are not alone at home," he said.

The US' intentions with Greenland have angered many of its allies in Europe.

Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Monday that the move to appoint Landry had "deeply angered" him as he warned the White House to respect Danish sovereignty.

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union stands in "full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland."

French President Emmanuel Macron said, "Greenland belongs to its people. Denmark stands as its guarantor. I join my voice to that of Europeans in expressing our full solidarity."

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar