Listen to Donald Trump and you would think Moscow and Beijing were lying in wait off the coast of Greenland, ready to pounce to boost their power in the Arctic.
There are Russian destroyers, there are Chinese destroyers and, bigger, there are Russian submarines all over the place, President Trump said recently, indicating that U.S. control of Greenland is essential.
However, Moscow's reaction to this alleged plot being unveiled is less hostile than might be expected. Instead of concern, Russian state media has expressed support for Trump's ambitions, criticizing European leaders who oppose a U.S. annexation of Greenland.
According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Standing in the way of the US president's historic breakthrough is the stubbornness of Copenhagen and the mock solidarity of intransigent European countries, including so-called friends of America, Britain and France. The article emphasizes that Europe doesn't need the American greatness Trump advocates and suggests that European leaders hope to undermine his influence ahead of upcoming elections.
The article further speculates that if Trump achieves the annexation before July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, he could solidify his place in history as a champion of American greatness, surpassing Canada in land area.
As Trump continues to pursue his Greenland objective, Russian analysts see this as an opportunity to exploit divisions within NATO and strain transatlantic ties, illustrating that from Moscow's perspective, the tension in Europe is a cause for celebration.
Furthermore, the Russian commentary links American threats about Greenland to justifications for Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, highlighting the Kremlin's goal of maintaining a favorable relationship with Trump's administration to further its objectives in the region.
