Russia has warned the United States against President-elect Donald Trump's plans to acquire Greenland, citing concerns over violations of international law and potential instability in the Arctic region.
Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko said "the Arctic should be a territory of peace and harmony," per reports from Russian news service INTERFAX.RU. She added Russia "cannot rule out the possibility of violating international law in advancing to the Arctic."
Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin and Trump's office for comment.
Why It Matters
Recent comments by Trump have reignited cross-continental tensions regarding Greenland. Trump stated that the U.S. needs Greenland for "national security purposes" and refused to rule out the use of military or economic measures to acquire the autonomous Danish territory. European leaders are closely monitoring the situation.
What to Know
Russia has been vocal in opposing unilateral actions in the Arctic. Matviyenko, speaking to reporters in Moscow, said, "We cannot help but be concerned about such as yet unclear approaches. We cannot rule out the possibility of violating international law in advancing to the Arctic. We have already had such examples when the US tried to expand its reach, this cannot be allowed.
"We cannot allow violations of international law to the detriment of other states," she added.
Greenland, a mineral-rich island in the Arctic, has long been of strategic interest to major powers, including Russia, China, and the U.S., due to its untapped resources and its location along emerging shipping routes. Trump's comments come amidst rising geopolitical competition in the region and a growing focus on Arctic sovereignty and resource exploitation. It also hosts the U.S. Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base), which has been active since 1943.
Greenland Declares Sovereignty: 'Not for Sale'
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's commitment to monitoring the situation closely. "We are following this rather dramatic development closely. Thankfully, for now, it remains at the level of statements," Peskov told a news conference in Moscow on Thursday.
Greenland's leadership and Denmark have also responded firmly to Trump's statements. Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede emphasized the island's right to self-determination, declaring, "Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed this sentiment, calling Trump's remarks "absurd" and reaffirming Greenland's sovereignty.
What People Are Saying
The situation has drawn criticism from multiple quarters. Olaf Scholz, Germany's chancellor, described the idea of acquiring Greenland as a "certain incomprehension" while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called for global respect of sovereign borders. "Do we think we're entering into a period that sees the return of the law of the strongest?" he said. "'Yes."
Despite international criticism, Trump's allies have defended his statements. Republican Congressman Mike Waltz noted that the Arctic's resources make Greenland critical to U.S. strategic interests. "Denmark can be a great ally, but you can't treat Greenland, which they have operational control over, as some kind of backwater––it's in the Western hemisphere," Waltz told Fox News.
What's Next
As President-elect Trump prepares to take office on January 20, Arctic nations and international observers will closely monitor U.S. policy in the region. Denmark has signaled a willingness to engage diplomatically to address security concerns without compromising Greenland's autonomy.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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