The Kremlin on Thursday said that Russia had strategic national interests in the Arctic when asked to comment on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's remarks about acquiring Greenland, absorbing Canada and taking control of the Panama Canal.

Trump said in a press conference this week that he would not rule out using military force to seize Greenland.

Trump's remarks on Greenland - a largely autonomous Danish territory - have drawn a warning from European leaders. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas has stressed that "we have to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Greenland",

Strategically positioned, Greenland is also viewed as important for U.S. defence. Russia is a close high Arctic neighbour to the island. And Russia has agreed to collaborate with China in developing an Arctic shipping route that Chinese President Xi Jinping has dubbed an “Ice Silk Road.”

Greenland's leader said on Friday he had not been in contact with incoming U.S. president Donald Trump, who has said he wants control over the Arctic island, and urged everyone to respect Greenland's wish for independence.