Even if the US takes over Greenland, Russia has nothing to say. This is a matter for the US and Denmark. During his recent visit to Murmansk (the largest city north of the Arctic circle), Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin made such a comment. He reportedly said: “As for Greenland, this is a matter for two specific countries (the US and Denmark). It has nothing to do with us.“

As expected, Putin’s comment has triggered a sensation, with a section of political analysts claiming that Russia has no further plans to dominate the North Pole beyond its own territory. Geopolitical experts believe that the Russian President’s personal equation with his US counterpart Donald John Trump has played an important role in this regard. Hence, Moscow shows complete indifference to the world’s largest island. However, others believe that Putin has other ideas.

Interestingly, Putin admitted that President Trump made a significant shift in US foreign policy, stressing: “America’s plans in relation to Greenland are serious. These plans have deep historical roots. And, it is clear that the US will continue to systematically pursue its geo-strategic, military, political and economic interests in the Arctic Region.“

At the same time, President Putin hinted that Russia would play a leadership role in the Arctic Region. He pledged to “strengthen Russia’s global leadership in the Arctic“, stating: “Geopolitical competition in the Arctic region is intensifying.” For his part, Kirill Dmitriev, the Special Envoy (for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation) of President Putin, said: “We are open to considering different investment opportunities that we can do jointly with the US, in certain sectors approved by the Russian Government.” He told BBC: “We are open for investment cooperation in the Arctic. That could be in logistics or other areas beneficial to Russia and to the US.” Dmitriev further stated that “before such deals can be done the war in Ukraine needs to end“. He added: “We (Russia and the US) now have a very good dialogue, and I think it is very important that the US is trying to understand Russia’s position.“

It may be noted that Washington DC’s attitude towards Moscow has changed since Trump came to power for the second time on January 20, 2025. President Trump has hinted that he is ready to compromise with Russia over the Ukraine issue. Putin and Trump recently discussed the Ukraine War over the phone for nearly two hours. Analysts are of the opinion that the Russian President shows indifference to Greenland as he wants the US not to interfere in the Ukraine issue. With this, Putin has made it clear that he has no plans to give up the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

Greenland is basically an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark’s sovereignty over the island is globally recognised. Although the 2009 Self-Government Act recognised the Greenlandic people’s Right to Self-determination, it also outlined the continued responsibility of the Danish Government for certain areas, like foreign and defence policy. As Trump wants to purchase the island from Denmark, Prime Minister of Greenland Múte Bourup Egede has repeatedly criticised the US President’s aggressive foreign policy. However, President Trump is adamant to annex Greenland, citing its need for international security.

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das