Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov Photo: Sergei Bobylev/TASS
The Kremlin has expressed concern over statements by US President-elect Donald Trump about the possible annexation of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the situation “dramatic” and said that Russia was closely monitoring the developments, AFP reported.
“The Arctic is a zone of our national interests, and we will continue to be present there. We strive to maintain peace and stability in the region and are ready to cooperate with all parties,” Peskov said.
Trump and Greenland: a challenge for the international community
In his recent statements, Donald Trump has called control of Greenland “absolutely essential” to US security and freedom in the world. Moreover, he did not rule out the use of force to annex the territory.
Such statements caused a wave of criticism in European capitals. Denmark and its allies strongly supported the preservation of the country’s sovereignty, while the United Kingdom refrained from condemning it because of its strategic relationship with Washington.
Kremlin’s position: a parallel with Ukraine
Dmitry Peskov tried to draw a parallel between Trump’s statements on Greenland and Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories in 2022. He stressed that the “opinion of the population” should be taken into account in such matters.
“If we’re talking about respecting people’s opinions, then perhaps we should also mention the wishes of the residents of the four new regions of Russia. Why not show the same respect for the wishes of the people of Greenland?” said Peskov.
The Arctic as a competition zone
The Arctic region is becoming increasingly strategically important due to its rich natural resources. Russia already has a significant military presence in the region and plans to expand it. However, Trump’s statements about Greenland could increase tensions between the US, Russia and European countries.
What to expect next?
Russia has so far refrained from contacting Donald Trump’s team, awaiting his official inauguration on 20 January. At the same time, the Kremlin says it is ready for dialogue if Trump retains the political will to negotiate after taking office.
The situation around Greenland demonstrates the growing tensions in global politics, which could have far-reaching consequences for international stability.
