Russia unveils its plans for Greenland
Russia denies any aggressive intentions in Greenland, amid Trump claims that the U.S. must prevent the territory from falling into Moscow’s hands.
The Russian ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, said Thursday that Moscow harbors no hostile intentions toward Greenland, a territory that has been at the center of international debate in recent weeks.
The diplomat dismissed any suggestion of aggressive designs, insisting that Russia has no plans for military action or threats in the Arctic region. His comments came amid claims by the American president, Donald Trump, that the United States needs control of the island to prevent it from falling into the hands of Moscow or Beijing. On Saturday, Trump threatened to levy additional import tariffs on several European nations until the U.S. is allowed to purchase Greenland.
Barbin emphasized that Russia is not seeking to pressure or occupy the territory of its Arctic neighbors, stressing that its foreign policy in the region is grounded in cooperation and mutual respect. In that context, he pointed to recent remarks from Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who stated that neither Russia nor China poses a threat to Greenland.
However, the ambassador criticized several NATO member states for invoking a supposed Russian or Chinese threat as a justification for ramping up military activity in the Arctic. In his view, this approach only fuels mistrust and tension in a region already sensitive from a geopolitical standpoint.
Criticism of Arctic militarization
According to Barbin, NATO’s involvement in the Arctic promotes a confrontational dynamic that ultimately undermines regional security rather than strengthening it. Along similar lines, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova recently said that Moscow is closely monitoring the situation and believes any disputes should be resolved through negotiations grounded in international law.
Tensions surrounding Greenland have risen in recent months following repeated statements from Trump, who has argued that the island should fall under U.S. control, calling any alternative unacceptable. His stance has reignited the broader debate over the strategic future of the Arctic territory.
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