Denmark acknowledged Thursday that it had long neglected the defense of Greenland, a vast and strategically important Arctic island - and one that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has called vital for U.S. security.

Copenhagen has been deliberating over how to respond to statements by US President-elect Donald Trump about his desire to annex Greenland, amid indications that these remarks are not merely jokes. Danish officials have reportedly received signals from Trump's advisors and allies suggesting that he is serious about his plans.

By Stine Jacobsen and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but is unlikely to become a U.S. state, Denmark's foreign minister said on Wednesday after U.