Russia keeping close eye on Trump's claim to Greenland

Recently, Donald Trump Jr. made a private visit to Greenland, which is a territory of Denmark, to support his father, Donald Trump, who has been making headlines with his controversial claims about wanting to acquire Greenland for the United States. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Kremlin, stated that Russia is closely monitoring the situation, especially after President-elect Trump hinted at the possibility of using military action to take control of Greenland. Peskov emphasized that the Arctic region is of significant national and strategic interest to Russia, and they are committed to maintaining peace and stability in the area. Trump's remarks regarding Greenland, which is largely self-governing but still under Danish sovereignty, have raised alarms among European leaders. Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign affairs chief, stressed the importance of respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Greenland. Similarly, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made it clear that borders should not be altered through force. Earlier this week, Trump stated that the US requires both Greenland and the Panama Canal for economic security, and he did not dismiss the idea of using military or economic force to acquire them. He also referred to the border with Canada as an 'artificially drawn line. ' It is important to note that both Denmark and Canada are close allies of the United States. Peskov remarked that while Trump's claims are primarily a matter for the US, Denmark, and other nations, Russia is observing the 'rather dramatic' developments surrounding these statements. He added, 'We are present in the Arctic zone, and we will continue to be present there. ' Outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attempted to alleviate concerns regarding the president-elect's comments during a visit to Paris, stating, 'The idea is. obviously not a good one, but maybe more important, it's obviously one that's not going to happen. ' UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy also downplayed Trump's remarks but acknowledged that the intensity of his rhetoric and the unpredictability of his statements can be destabilizing. Greenland is home to approximately 56,000 residents and hosts military bases from both the US and Denmark. The territory is also rich in untapped mineral and oil resources. Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has been advocating for independence, although the territory's economy heavily relies on financial support from Denmark. Both Egede and the Danish Prime Minister have emphasized that Greenland is 'not for sale' and that its future should be determined by the people of Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has expressed a clear interest in ensuring that the US, which she described as 'absolutely its closest ally,' plays a significant role in the region, especially given the rising tensions in the North Atlantic involving Russia. In light of the foreign policy crisis, she has called for a meeting with other political parties to discuss the situation. The European Commission characterized Trump's threat to Greenland as 'extremely theoretical' and 'wildly hypothetical,' considering he has not yet taken office. However, they confirmed that Greenland, as an overseas territory, falls under a mutual assistance clause that requires all EU member states to come to its aid in the event of an attack. The Kremlin ridiculed the European response, suggesting it was overly cautious and 'almost in a whisper. ' Last week, Greenland's leader stated that the territory should liberate itself from 'the shackles of colonialism,' although he did not mention the US in his remarks. Pele Broberg, a former foreign minister of Greenland and now the leader of the largest opposition party, told the BBC that most Greenlanders he spoke to believe that the US is crucial for their defense and safety. He stated, 'We are part of the North American continent, that's why the defense of the US is in such a great place with regards to Greenland, because we create a buffer zone that doesn't need to be militarized. ' Broberg has called for a 'free association agreement' with the US that would allow Greenland to gain independence while placing security responsibilities in the hands of the US. Trump's allies have echoed his sentiments regarding Greenland. Keith Kellogg, who was chosen by Trump to help end the war in Ukraine, stated that many of Trump's comments about Greenland make sense and position the United States as a global leader. Republican congressman Mike Walz emphasized that the issue extends beyond Greenland, as it pertains to the Arctic, where Russia is attempting to assert control over valuable resources. He remarked, 'Denmark can be a great ally, but you can't treat Greenland, which they have operational control over, as some kind of backwater - it's in the Western hemisphere. ' The US is Denmark's largest export market, and sales surged in the first 11 months of 2024, reaching 326 billion kroner, which accounts for a 17. 3% share of Denmark's total exports. Earlier this week, Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark if they rejected his offer to purchase Greenland.