Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia is closely monitoring the situation after US President-elect Donald Trump declined to rule out the use of military force to take control of Greenland from Denmark. Peskov emphasized that the Arctic is within Russia’s “sphere of national and strategic interests” and reiterated Russia’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region. Trump’s comments on Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, have sparked concern from European leaders. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas stressed the importance of respecting Greenland’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, while Germany’s Olaf Scholz stated that borders should not be changed through force.
Earlier this week, Trump claimed that the US needed Greenland and the Panama Canal for “economic security” and suggested that the US could use either economic or military power to secure them. He also described the border with Canada as an “artificially drawn line.” Both Denmark and Canada are key NATO allies of the US. Peskov noted that while Trump’s remarks were primarily an issue for the US, Denmark, and other countries involved, Russia was closely watching the “rather dramatic” situation. “We are present in the Arctic zone, and we will continue to be present there,” he stated.
Outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sought to downplay concerns during a visit to Paris, calling Trump’s comments “obviously not a good idea” and reassuring that such a plan was highly unlikely to happen. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy also dismissed Trump’s statements but acknowledged that his rhetoric could be destabilizing due to its unpredictability.
Greenland, which is home to around 56,000 people, hosts both US and Danish military bases and is rich in untapped mineral and oil resources. Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede has been advocating for independence, although the territory remains heavily dependent on subsidies from Denmark. Both Egede and Denmark’s leaders have firmly stated that Greenland is “not for sale” and that its future will be determined by the people of Greenland themselves.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has emphasized Denmark’s interest in ensuring that the US—its “absolutely closest ally”—plays a key role in the North Atlantic, especially as tensions with Russia rise. Facing a foreign policy crisis, Frederiksen has called a meeting of political parties to discuss the situation. The European Commission characterized Trump’s threat to Greenland as “extremely theoretical” and “wildly hypothetical,” given that he is not yet in office. However, the Commission confirmed that, as an overseas territory, Greenland is covered by a mutual assistance clause, meaning all EU member states would be required to come to its defense in the event of an attack.
Last week, Greenland’s leader reiterated the need for the territory to break free from “the shackles of colonialism,” though he did not specifically mention the US. Pele Broberg, a former Greenland foreign minister and now head of the opposition party, stated that most Greenlanders he spoke to viewed the US as vital for their defense and security. “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,” he said.
Broberg has called for a “free association agreement” with the US that would grant Greenland independence while allowing the US to assume responsibility for its security. Trump’s allies have supported his views on Greenland. Keith Kellogg, chosen by Trump to help end the war in Ukraine, said many of Trump’s statements on Greenland made sense, arguing that they positioned the US as a global leader. Republican congressman Mike Walz told that the issue wasn’t just about Greenland but also about the Arctic, as Russia seeks to assert control over the region’s mineral and natural resources.
While Denmark remains a key US ally, Walz argued that Greenland, under Danish control, should not be treated as a peripheral region. He added that Greenland is strategically located in the Western Hemisphere. The US is Denmark’s largest export market, with sales to the US increasing by 17.3% in the first 11 months of 2024, reaching 326 billion kroner ($45 billion), or 17.3% of Denmark’s total exports. Earlier this week, Trump suggested he would impose tariffs on Denmark if the country rejected his offer to purchase Greenland.
