Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the interest of U.S. President Donald Trump in Greenland was not unexpected, considering America's long-standing interest in the resource-rich island.
Speaking at a policy forum in the Arctic seaport city of Murmansk, Putin noted that the U.S. had entertained thoughts of acquiring Greenland as early as the 19th century. He also remembered that Washington made an official overture to buy it from Denmark after World War II.
From an initial glance, one might take it for unusual, but that would be incorrect in assuming this was a transitory whim on the part of the present administration in the U.S.," Putin said. "The U.S. will continue to energetically push through its long-term strategic, military, and economic interests in the Arctic region.
Trump's proposal that the U.S. acquire Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, caused great controversy throughout Europe. The island is of enormous strategic importance because it is a gateway to the Arctic and North Atlantic, particularly as Russia and China vie for access to its waters and natural resources.
This week, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife plan to tour an American military camp in Greenland. However, this visit was later cut back amidst protest from Greenlanders and even from Danish officials.
In the address he delivered on Thursday, Putin also criticized the growing military activities of NATO in the Arctic region, clarifying that Russia will react to the same by augmenting military operations in the Arctic region.
We are definitely following very closely since NATO now uses the term the Far North as a possible zone of conflict," Putin said, pointing to recent membership of Finland and Sweden in the alliance. "Russia never threatened anyone in the Arctic, but we will follow the situation closely and make the necessary moves by strengthening our military and upgrading our infrastructure.
Russia has been strengthening its foothold in the Arctic, competing with the United States, Canada, Denmark, and Norway as climate change decreases polar ice, opening up new possibilities for natural resources and trade routes. China has also shown increasing interest in the region, which is said to hold nearly a quarter of the world's untapped oil and gas reserves.
We will strongly defend the sovereignty of our country, protecting our national interests while ensuring peace and stability in the Arctic," Putin declared.
While stressing military preparedness, Putin also showed willingness to cooperate with other countries in the region.
“The stronger our position, the greater our chances of launching international projects in the Arctic with friendly nations—and potentially even Western countries, should they show interest in collaboration. I am confident the time for such initiatives will come,” he added.
Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian Direct Investment Fund head and Putin's international investments envoy, made the same argument. Last month, he told reporters that U.S. officials had discussed possible joint energy projects in talks.
"We need cooperative projects, including in the Arctic and beyond," Dmitriev said.
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