Russian President Vladimir Putin says he considers United States plans to annex Greenland serious, just as he revealed worries that the West could use the Arctic as a springboard for future conflicts, Thursday.
Putin made this known while briefing an Arctic forum in the northern city of Murmansk, noting that it is a deep mistake to think that it is some extravagant talk from the new American administration.
Local reports have it that US President Donald Trump has pushed to take control of the autonomous Danish island since taking office in January, saying Washington needs to have it for international security.
President Trump therefore stressed that while Russia was not directly involved in the question of Greenland’s ownership, Moscow was concerned that NATO countries, in general, are increasingly designating the far north as a springboard for possible conflicts.
Reports have it that Greenland, which is seeking independence from Denmark, is already home to a US military base which US Vice President JD Vance visited.
Meanwhile, the island is strategically located between North America and Europe at a time of rising US, Chinese and Russian interest in the Arctic, where sea lanes have opened up because of climate change. Denmark has rebuffed Trump’s calls to take over the island and says the people of Greenland have shown they do not want to be part of the United States.
