On Thursday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reminded President-elect Donald Trump of Russia’s firm stance on protecting its “strategic interests” in the Arctic region, particularly in light of Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland. “The Arctic is a zone of our national interests, our strategic interests. We are interested in preserving the atmosphere of peace and stability in the Arctic zone,” Peskov said.

He further remarked, “We are watching the rather dramatic development of the situation very closely, but so far, thank God, at the level of statements,” referencing Trump’s remarks about potentially making Greenland part of the United States, either as the 51st or 52nd state, contingent on how his plans regarding Canada unfold.

Despite Peskov’s claim that the situation had not gone beyond mere statements, developments suggest otherwise. Donald Trump Jr. was sent to Greenland on Tuesday, where he expressed having had an “absolutely incredible experience.” However, he did not return with the island’s deed in hand.

Peskov reminded the public that Trump is not the first American leader to make such a suggestion, and he criticized European reactions for being less forceful than previous instances. “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,” he said.

While Peskov observed Europe’s subdued approach, Denmark’s response to Trump’s overtures was far from whispering. Last month, King Frederik X enlarged the polar bear symbol representing Greenland on the royal coat of arms, a symbolic yet clear rebuff to Trump’s proposal. “It is important to signal from the Danish side that Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Danish realm, and that this is not up for discussion. This is how you mark it,” explained royal expert Lars Hovbakke Sorensen.

The Faroe Islands, another autonomous Danish territory, also saw an enlargement of their symbolic ram on the coat of arms, though Trump has yet to express any interest in acquiring the islands. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed a firm yet diplomatic stance on Trump’s ambitions, saying, “We fully recognise that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialise, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States.”

Rasmussen continued, “I don’t think that we’re in a foreign policy crisis. We are open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can possibly cooperate even more closely than we do to ensure that the American ambitions are fulfilled.” Meanwhile, Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, reiterated that the people of Greenland were not seeking independence to become part of the United States, declaring, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.”

European leaders have been vocal in rejecting Trump’s proposal, especially after his comments at a Mar-a-Lago press conference, where he suggested using economic or military force to secure the acquisition. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated on Wednesday, “The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country … no matter whether it’s a very small one, or a very powerful one.” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot added, “There is obviously no question that the European Union would let other nations of the world attack its sovereign borders.”

Both Denmark and Greenland are members of NATO, an alliance that mandates collective defense, meaning that any attack on one member is considered an attack on all. This would apply even in the unlikely event of an attack coming from another NATO member, such as the United States.

Peskov had earlier alluded to one of the primary reasons the U.S. might be interested in Greenland—the region’s strategic significance. He noted that Greenland’s location provides a crucial position for monitoring the Arctic and could serve as a defense outpost for North America against potential intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) threats from Europe.

In addition to its strategic location, Greenland is rich in oil, gas, and mineral resources, though these have remained largely untapped due to environmental concerns, bureaucratic challenges, and opposition from the island’s indigenous Inuit population. The Inuit, who represent about 88% of Greenland’s population of 57,000, largely oppose the development of these resources. As a result, Greenland’s economy remains heavily reliant on fishing and subsidies from Denmark, a situation that has dampened the island’s aspirations for full political independence.

China has made substantial investments in Greenland’s mining industry and is a significant consumer of its fish. Trump’s proposed acquisition of Greenland could potentially challenge both Russian and Chinese interests in the Arctic. Trump’s suggestion that the people of Greenland could “benefit tremendously” by joining the U.S. might be true, but the real questions lie in whether Greenlanders are truly committed to independence or wish to remain with Denmark after more than six centuries, and whether they would be willing to ease their opposition to the exploration of oil, gas, and minerals.

{Matzav.com}