Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring that Moscow will not tolerate NATO encroachments in the Arctic as President Donald Trump pursues what he calls a “serious” effort to acquire Greenland.
Speaking at the Arctic Forum in Russia on Thursday, Putin emphasized that Moscow would defend its strategic interests in the region and cautioned against dismissing Trump’s ambitions. "We will not allow encroachments on the sovereignty of our country and will reliably protect our national interests," he said, as cited by the New York Post.
While Putin downplayed concerns over Greenland itself, he accused NATO of increasingly using the Arctic as a staging ground for potential conflicts, particularly with the recent inclusion of Finland and Sweden into the alliance. Russia has long considered the Arctic a key geopolitical and economic zone due to its vast fossil fuel and mineral resources.
Trump has expressed interest in these resources, with the U.S. reportedly not ruling out military intervention to assert control over Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory. Putin said Moscow is taking Trump’s statements seriously, preparing countermeasures, and strengthening its military presence in the Arctic.
Despite the tensions, Putin suggested a possible compromise, proposing that the U.S. and Russia jointly develop Arctic resources. He also highlighted the Northern Sea Route as a vital economic corridor for Russia, allowing it to bypass Western sanctions and trade oil freely with China.
The Russian leader further outlined plans to expand the region’s infrastructure, calling for the construction of nuclear-powered icebreakers and urging global investors to participate. "Now we need to create conditions for the growth of effective domestic operators that will engage in transporting containers of coal, bulk, and other cargo through the Arctic. We are also open here to the creation of joint ventures," he said.
According to the New York Post, Putin noted that Belarus, China, and the United Arab Emirates have already expressed interest in partnering with Russia on Arctic development, positioning themselves ahead of the United States.
"It’s obvious that the United States will continue to systematically advance its geostrategic, military-political, and economic interests in the Arctic," Putin said.
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