U.S.-Europe Relations in Turmoil Over Greenland Dispute, Russia Laughs Behind the Scenes

AFP, Moscow, 20th. As U.S. President Trump intensifies efforts to gain control of Greenland, a Danish territory, Russia maintains an ambiguous stance on whether the U.S. should own the island, while enjoying the chaos between the U.S. and Europe.

Greenland lies on the route between the U.S. and Russia, making it potentially a key air defense outpost. Trump has stated that having Greenland is crucial for U.S. national security.

Trump and his advisors have argued that if Russia seeks to invade Greenland, Denmark, a NATO ally, would be unable to defend this vast island. However, European countries have warned that any U.S. action to seize Greenland could lead to the collapse of NATO.

Russia also considers the Arctic region strategically important and has ambitions in the area, thus expressing concerns over Western expansion of military bases in the Arctic. Moscow has long viewed NATO as a security threat.

Although Russia has not yet expressed whether it opposes the U.S. taking over Greenland, it has repeatedly warned NATO against deploying troops and military equipment in the Arctic region.

President Putin has not publicly commented on the issue this year, but his spokesman and Russian Foreign Minister have described the current situation as "unusual" and denied any intention by Moscow to seize Greenland.

Kremlin spokesman Peskov said on the 16th that Russia "maintains close attention to the situation, just like other countries in the world." ... "We continue to assume that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark."

He said yesterday that if Trump takes over Greenland, it will "go down in history," but refused to comment on whether "it's good or bad." Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said at a press conference today: "Greenland is not naturally part of Denmark, but was acquired through colonial conquest."

He also cited examples such as France's control over the island of Mayotte in the western Indian Ocean and Britain's possession of the Falkland Islands, pointing out that European powers have not let go of their conquered territories.

Pro-Kremlin Russian media are delighted by the dispute between the West and Europe. The tabloid "Moskovskiy Komsomolets" said on the 18th that they are happy to see Europe fall into "complete chaos" due to this crisis.

Putin had previously said in March last year that Trump had "a serious plan" regarding Greenland, which has "long historical roots"; however, "this matter is related to two specific countries, and has nothing to do with us," and Russia is "concerned" about the increasing activities of NATO in the Arctic.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1854854480919817/

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