Kremlin Spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov has said that Russia is watching US President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks about acquiring Greenland, after the US President-elect refused to rule out the possibility of using military force to acquire the Danish territory.
Peskov told reporters that such claims are largely part of the United States’ bilateral relations with Denmark and other countries.
“We are closely following these dramatic developments – thank God, it has not gone beyond statements yet.”
Dmitry Peskov
Peskov also noted the reaction from Panama, where authorities expressed confusion over Trump’s comments, describing the situation as “at the very least, a misunderstanding of the President-elect’s stance.”
Asked about the potential impact of a US annexation of Greenland on Arctic geopolitics, Peskov reiterated the Artic’s strategic importance to Russia.
“The Arctic zone is an area of our national and strategic interests. We are present in the Arctic and will continue to be. Maintaining peace and stability in the region is paramount, and we are open to cooperation with all nations to achieve this goal.”
Dmitry Peskov
Peskov’s remarks follow after Trump on Tuesday repeated his desire for the US to take control of Greenland. Asked by a journalist if he would rule out using economic or military force in order to acquire Greenland, Trump replied, “I’m not going to commit to that.”
Trump later said, “We need Greenland for national security purposes.”
The mineral-rich island – an autonomous Danish territory – is located in the Arctic, where Russia, China and the US have jockeyed for supremacy in recent years.
Additionally, Peskov criticised European leaders’ response to Trump’s comments. “Europe reacts very timidly – it is clear they are hesitant to challenge Trump’s words,” he said.
Separeately, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Maria Zakharova told a news agency that it was premature to offer any evaluation of Trump’s remarks about Canada and Greenland. “It seems to me that there are some questions to ask him. We must keep in mind that he has not yet taken office …,” Zakharova said.
“So, for now, it should still be viewed from this perspective. Let’s treat it that way. When he becomes President, when he takes office, and when he speaks on behalf of the nation and the people of the US in an official capacity, then, perhaps, it will be necessary, and it will be possible to assess, analyze and so on.”
Maria Zakharova
Kallas Calls For Protection of Greenland’s Sovereignty
Meanwhile, EU Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas said that Greenland’s sovereignty must be respected.
Kallas told journalists, “Greenland is part of Denmark [an EU member-state],” adding, “We have to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Greenland.”
Kallas disclosed that she had spoken to Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen after Trump’s comments. “She assured that the Danish and American relations have been very good,” Kallas said.
Frederiksen’s office told a news agency that she would meet Danish party leaders later on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters, “Meeting the party leaders allows us to share the measures the government has taken over the last few days.”
Rasmussen noted that while he did not believe Denmark was in a “foreign policy crisis,” that did not mean “there couldn’t well be one … if words turn to actions.”
In a statement on Wednesday, Greenland’s government reiterated its right to self-determination, adding that it “looks forward to establishing contact” with the Trump administration.
It said that it would continue to cooperate with the United States “as one of our closest partners.” “Greenland has had more than 80 years of defence cooperation with the US for the benefit of the security of Greenland, the US and the rest of the western world,” it added.
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