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MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin remarked on Thursday that former President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland aligns with a longstanding U.S. desire for control over the resource-rich territory.
During a policy conference held in the Arctic city of Murmansk, Putin pointed out that U.S. ambitions regarding Greenland date back to the 19th century, including post-World War II offers to purchase it from Denmark.
“Such a notion might seem unexpected initially, but it would be a mistake to dismiss this as mere fanciful thinking by the current U.S. administration,” Putin stated. “It’s evident that the United States will persistently pursue its geopolitical, military, and economic interests in the Arctic region.”
Trump’s comments on the U.S. potentially taking control of the self-governing territory raised eyebrows across Europe, particularly since Greenland is an ally of the U.S. and a NATO member. As the key nautical passageway to the Arctic and North Atlantic for North America, Greenland holds substantial strategic value amid growing interests from Russia and China in its natural resources and navigable waters.
On Friday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his spouse are scheduled to visit a U.S. military installation in Greenland, albeit on a reduced itinerary, following backlash from the locals and the Danish government.
In his Thursday address, Putin expressed concerns about NATO’s military presence in the Arctic, signaling Russia’s intention to bolster its military capabilities in the area.
“We are indeed unsettled by NATO characterizing the Far North as a potential conflict zone,” he remarked, referencing Finland and Sweden’s recent accession to the alliance. “Russia has posed no threat to anyone in the Arctic, but we will monitor developments closely and respond appropriately by enhancing our military capacities and upgrading infrastructure.”
Russia aims to assert its dominion over large sectors of the Arctic as it competes with the U.S., Canada, Denmark, and Norway for influence, particularly as climate change leads to melting ice caps that open up new routes for shipping and resource extraction. This region is estimated to contain a significant portion of the world’s undiscovered oil and gas reserves, prompting China’s growing interest in Arctic affairs.
“We will not tolerate any encroachments on our sovereignty; we will safeguard our national interests while promoting peace and stability in the Arctic,” Putin declared.
Simultaneously, while emphasizing the need for military readiness, Putin conveyed that Russia remains open to the possibility of international collaboration in Arctic development.
“As our capabilities strengthen, we can expect more significant outcomes and enhanced opportunities for launching cooperative international projects in the Arctic, encompassing both friendly nations and potentially Western states should they express interest in joint initiatives. I am confident that the time will eventually come for such collaborations,” he stated.
Kirill Dmitriev, who heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund and serves as Putin’s envoy for international investments, highlighted the potential for fostering U.S.-Russia collaborations in energy sectors during discussions with American officials last month.
“Joint ventures are necessary, particularly in the Arctic and beyond,” he remarked.
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