OSLO — Greenland is not for sale, its elected leader said on Monday as he responded to comments by US President-elect Donald Trump regarding the "ownership and control" of the vast Arctic island that has been part of Denmark for more than 600 years.

"We are not for sale and will never be for sale," the island's Prime Minister Mute Egede said in a written statement to Danish broadcaster DR, adding: "Greenland is ours. We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom."

Trump said on Sunday that US ownership of Greenland is essential.

"For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

During his previous term in office, Trump in 2019 expressed interest in buying Greenland, but the proposal was promptly rejected by Denmark as well as by the island's own authorities before any formal discussions could take place.

While rejecting any notion of US ownership, Egede emphasized Greenland's willingness to collaborate with international partners, including the US.

In a written comment sent to DR, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's office said they have no comments "other than referring to what (Egede) has stated that Greenland is not for sale, but open to cooperation".

Xinhua - Agencies