The U.S. has reaffirmed Greenland’s right to decide its own future after reports emerged that private Americans linked to Donald Trump tried to sway political sentiment in the Arctic territory.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Mark Stroh met with Danish and Greenlandic officials in Copenhagen after Denmark raised concerns about reports of American citisens encouraging Greenland’s secession.

The U.S. State Department said Stroh’s meeting was “productive” and emphasised Washington’s commitment to strong relations with both Denmark and Greenland.

It stressed that the United States respects Greenland’s right to determine its own future and clarified that the U.S. government does not direct private citizens’ actions.

Greenland, a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, retains the legal right to declare independence.

The controversy follows President Donald Trump’s repeated interest in acquiring Greenland for strategic purposes.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen commented to DR: "We are a partner, we are an ally, and we expect that the diplomatic rules of the game will apply. We expect that international law and sovereignty will be respected."

Earlier in the week Denmark's foreign minister summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen over intelligence reports alleging covert influence operations by U.S. citizens in Greenland.

These operations were suspected to whip up opposition to Danish rule, the ministry said on Wednesday.

Public broadcaster DR, citing unnamed sources, reported that at least three Americans with ties to President Donald Trump's administration were suspected of involvement in the efforts, which also sought to promote Greenland's secession from Denmark to the United States.

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