Putin speaks out about Trump's desire to annex Greenland

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on March 27 that the ongoing tensions around Greenland should be taken seriously, according to RT.

Speaking at the International Arctic Forum in Murmansk, Russia, on March 27, President Putin mentioned the ongoing tensions surrounding Greenland and US President Donald Trump's repeated statements about annexing Greenland.

Russian President Vladimir Putin at the International Arctic Forum in Murmansk (Russia) on March 27.

President Putin said that President Trump's statements should be taken seriously, pointing out that the US has been planning to annex Greenland for more than a century and a half. "Everyone knows about the US plans to annex Greenland. You know, this may surprise someone at first sight. And it would be wrong to believe that this is some kind of rhetoric from the new US administration," President Putin said.

“We are talking about serious plans of the American side regarding Greenland. These plans have long historical roots,” Putin added.

Mr. Putin pointed out that the US government's plan to control Greenland dates back to 1860, but at that time, they did not receive support from Congress, and the Greenland proposal of then US President Andrew Johnson failed.

Trump asks NATO to help US annex Greenland, Denmark warns of war

Putin's comments came after Trump raised the subject of Greenland again on March 26, saying that US ownership of the island was necessary to "properly protect a large part of this earth" and would benefit the entire world, including Denmark. "We have to have it because you can't properly protect a large part of this earth, not just the United States, without it. So we have to have it, and I think we will have it," Trump said.

President Putin said that although he was not directly involved in the issue of Greenland's ownership, Moscow was concerned that "NATO countries in general are increasingly viewing the Arctic region as a springboard for possible conflicts," according to AFP.

Greenland, which is seeking independence from Denmark, currently hosts a US military base that US Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit on March 28. Greenland is strategically located between North America and Europe.

Also at the forum, President Putin said that Russia faces large-scale tasks in the Arctic and will need to strengthen transport and logistics infrastructure, protect fragile ecosystems and ensure comfortable living conditions, according to TASS news agency.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ong-putin-len-tieng-chuyen-ong-trump-muon-sap-nhap-greenland-185250328074519577.htm