Greenland’s political leaders have firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for the United States to take control of the island, asserting that Greenland’s future should be determined by its own people.

In a statement released Friday night, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and four party leaders emphasized that Greenland’s autonomy must be preserved. “We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders,” they declared, reiterating their stance against any foreign interference in the island’s sovereignty.

Trump, speaking on Friday, reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland, which is a semiautonomous region of Denmark and a NATO ally. He argued that if the U.S. doesn’t take control of the island, other powers, such as Russia or China, might do so. Trump implied that the U.S. could pursue this acquisition “the easy way” or, if necessary, “the hard way,” though he did not elaborate on what the “hard way” would entail. The White House has indicated that it is exploring a range of options, including military force, to secure Greenland’s acquisition.

The statement from Greenland’s party leaders emphasized that the island’s future must be determined in dialogue with its people and under international law. “No other country can interfere in this,” the leaders stated. They made it clear that they would resist any pressure from foreign powers and urged an end to what they described as the United States’ “contempt” for their country.

Discussions between officials from Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S. are ongoing, with another meeting planned for next week to address the U.S.’s renewed push for control. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an American takeover would undermine NATO’s unity, a serious concern given Greenland’s strategic location in the Arctic.

Greenland, despite being the world’s largest island, has a small population of around 57,000 and lacks its own military. Its defense is provided by Denmark, whose military is significantly smaller compared to the U.S. military. It remains unclear how NATO members would react if the U.S. pursued a forcible takeover or whether they would come to Denmark’s aid in such a scenario.

The growing tensions over Greenland highlight the island’s pivotal geopolitical role in global politics and the ongoing debate over its future.