Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland

Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland

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Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland

Daily Mail

Story by Miriam Kuepper

10/01/2025

 

Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland

 

The Kremlin has issued a warning to Trump over Greenland, telling him that Russia is 'watching' and 'present in the Arctic zone' after the US President-elect refused to rule out using military force to seize the vast territory. Trump refused to rule out military action to take control of the Arctic island at a press conference Tuesday and had earlier vowed to slap high tariffs on Denmark if it refused to cede its autonomous territory. 'We are very closely watching this rather dramatic development of the situation, which is, thank God, at the level of statements so far,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to Trump's comments.

 

Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland©POOL/AFP via Getty Images

 

'We are present in the Arctic zone, and we will continue to be present there,' he added. 'We are interested in preserving peace and stability in this zone and are ready to co-operate with any parties for this peace and stability.' He also suggested the people of Greenland be consulted about what they wanted, pointing to Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian regions in 2022 based on referendums. 'We should show the same respect for the opinion of these people,' Peskov said. Western countries and Kyiv denounced Russia's annexations of four regions in Ukraine as illegal and the referendums as a sham.

 

Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland©VIA REUTERS

 

Peskov said that US attempts to gain Greenland, which dates back to the 19th Century, were a matter for the United States and Denmark, but he noted that Europe was reacting very cautiously to Trump's statements. 'Europe reacts very timidly and it is of course scary to react to Trump's words, therefore Europe reacts very cautiously, modestly, quietly, almost in a whisper,' Peskov said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed surprise at Trump's comments about Greenland and Canada, saying European partners agreed that the inviolability of borders was a fundamental principle of international law.

 

Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland©Getty Images

 

When asked about Trump's remarks about the Panama Canal, which the United States built and owned before handing it to Panama in 1999, the Kremlin said it had heard the remarks but that they were for the United States and Panama to sort out. 'The only hands that control the canal are Panamanian and that's how it will continue to be,' Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha told reporters on Tuesday. Greenland is part of the Danish realm along with the Faeroe Islands, another semi-autonomous territory, and has its own government and parliament.

 

Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland©VIA REUTERS

 

Greenland's 57,000 residents got extensive home rule in 1979 but Denmark still handles foreign and defense policies, with an annual subsidy of $670 million. Its indigenous people are not wealthy, and vehicles, restaurants, stores and basic services are few. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen addressed Trump's intent to buy Greenland on Tuesday, saying that she did not believe that the US will use military or economic power to secure control over the island.

 

Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland©Getty Images

 

She also called the US Denmark's 'most important and closest ally' and repeated that she welcomed the US taking a greater interest in the Arctic region, but that it would 'have to be done in a way that is respectful of the Greenlandic people'. 'At the same time, it must be done in a way that allows Denmark and the United States to still cooperate in, among other things, NATO,' Frederiksen said.

 

Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland©Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima

 

This came after Trump posted a video of his private plane landing in Nuuk, the Arctic territory's capital, in a landscape of snow-capped peaks and fjords on Tuesday. ' Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland,' Trump wrote. 'The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!'

 

Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland©AP

 

In a statement, Greenland's government said Donald Trump Jr.'s visit was taking place 'as a private individual' and not as an official visit, and Greenlandic representatives would not meet with him. Don Jr. also posted a picture with locals wearing MAGA hats on X with the caption: 'Greenland loves America and Trump!!! Incredible people with an equally awesome reception.

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Russia issues warning to Trump over Greenland©EPA

 

'They just want to be able to utilize some of the incredible resources that they have and allow themselves, their country, and their kids to flourish.' This it not the first time an American president suggested buying the island. There were two failed attempts by U.S. to purchase it: President Harry Truman tried to buy it for $100 million in 1946 and the State Department inquired about it in 1867.