The prime minister of Greenland called on the country to strive for greater independence from its mother country, Denmark, in a New Year’s address delivered this week, in light of the controversy surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s calls for the U.

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede emphasised his desire to pursue independence from Denmark, its former colonial ruler, during his New Year speech, marking a significant change in the rhetoric surrounding the Arctic island's future.

Greenland’s prime minister has reiterated his call for independence from Denmark after Donald Trump suggested the US could acquire the Arctic territory.

It is now time to take the next step for our country,” Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede says in hinting at 2025 referendum.

History and current conditions have shown that our cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark has not succeeded in creating full equality,' says Mute Egede - Anadolu Ajansı

COPENHAGEN >> Greenland is not for sale, its elected leader said on Monday, responding to comments made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump regarding the “ownership and control” of the vast Arctic island that has been part of Denmark for over 600 years.

The self-governing Danish territory has been in the spotlight since US President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his wish to buy the island. View on euronews

During his New Year's speech, the Prime Minister of Greenland, Múte Egede, expressed his desire for independence from Denmark. He stated that he wants the island to determine its own future, Reuters reports.