Keir Starmer has said the future of Greenland should only be decided by Greenland itself and Denmark, and that Donald Trump should keep his hands off the territory. He was responding after Trump again spoke about wanting the United States to take control of Greenland.

Trump has claimed the US needs Greenland for “national security,” repeating comments he has made several times since returning to office last year. He has continued to frame the territory as strategically important for American interests.

In recent days, talk of the US taking control of Greenland appeared to grow louder following a military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. That development seemed to sharpen attention around Trump’s foreign policy language.

Over the weekend, leaders in both Greenland and Denmark strongly rejected any suggestion that the United States could annex the semi-autonomous territory. Greenland remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, despite having a large degree of self-rule.

Starmer echoed those rejections, saying the future of Greenland was not for outside powers to decide. When asked by the BBC whether he would tell Trump to keep his hands off Greenland, the prime minister answered yes.

He said: “Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark must decide the future of Greenland and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.” He went on to stress Denmark’s position as a close European and Nato ally.

Starmer added: “Denmark is a close ally in Europe, is a Nato ally and it is very important that the future of Greenland is for the Kingdom of Denmark and for Greenland themselves and only for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark.” He repeated the same message to other broadcasters.

The prime minister also said Britain “stands” with Denmark on the issue. His comments were seen as clear support for Copenhagen amid the growing rhetoric from Washington.

On Sunday, Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said “it makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland.” She said the message was directed very clearly at the US.

Frederiksen added that America “has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom.” Her remarks followed a social media post by the wife of one of Trump’s aides showing a map of Greenland in US flag colors with the word “SOON.”

Despite those reactions, Trump later said aboard Air Force One that the US “needs Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.” His comments appeared to brush aside the objections.

In December, Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, a move that angered Danish officials. Greenland has a population of around 57,000 and is largely self governing, with many residents favoring independence from Denmark someday.

At the same time, there is near universal opposition within Greenland to the territory coming under US control. That resistance has remained firm despite the renewed attention from Washington.