An opinion poll showed that 85% of Greenlanders oppose joining the US after President Donald Trump insisted that people there are keen to do so.

Only 6% of Greenlanders are in favor of becoming part of the US, with 9% undecided, according to a survey by pollster Verian, that was commissioned by Danish newspaper Berlingske.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump claimed that Greenland was vital to US security and that Denmark should relinquish control of the strategically important Arctic island.

And over the weekend, Trump said onboard Air Force One that: "I think we’re going to have it," adding that the Arctic island’s 57,000 residents "want to be with us."

The US military already has a permanent presence at the Pituffik space base in northwest Greenland, a strategic location for its ballistic missile early warning system.

What do we know about Greenland's position

Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute Egede, who has intensified the push for independence, has repeatedly said that the island is not for sale and that it is up to the people to decide their future.

The world's largest island, with a population of 57,000, was granted extensive self-government in 2009, including the right to declare independence from Denmark in a referendum.

Meanwhile, Denmark said Monday it would spend 14.6 billion kroner ($2.04 billion or €1.96 billion) to boost its military presence in the Arctic.

On Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met with French President Emmanuel Macron and said political leaders in Europe and beyond had given full backing to the principle of maintaining respect for international borders. 

dh/rm (Reuters, DW sources)