Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the U.S. against any attempts to expand its influence in the Arctic, as President Donald Trump continues to pursue the idea of acquiring Greenland.
“We will not allow encroachments on the sovereignty of our country and will reliably protect our national interests,” Putin said at the Arctic Forum in Russia on Thursday.
Putin also pointed out that Trump’s plan to take Greenland is not a new idea, nor is it unique to this administration.
“It can look surprising only at first glance, and it would be wrong to believe that this is some sort of extravagant talk by the current U.S. administration,” Putin said. “It’s obvious that the United States will continue to systematically advance its geostrategic, military-political, and economic interests in the Arctic.”
Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to acquire Greenland, even suggesting that military force could be an option. He argues that Greenland’s strategic location and vast natural resources make it a crucial asset for the U.S.
Putin also threatened that, with Finland and Sweden now part of NATO, Russia would respond forcefully to any potential conflict in the Arctic.
The Russian leader vowed to strengthen Russia’s military presence in the Arctic but also expressed interest in collaborating with the West on joint projects in the region.
“The stronger our positions will be, the more significant the results will be, and the broader opportunities we will have to launch international projects in the Arctic involving the countries that are friendly to us, and, possibly, Western countries if they show interest in joint work,” he said.
Putin’s comments came just one day before Vice President JD Vance and his wife visited a U.S. military base in Greenland.
