Russia has described the US president-elect’s plan as “eccentric” and “totally unworkable”
Donald Trump is serious about his plan to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, Reuters has reported, citing sources familiar with the US president-elect’s thinking. The plan is part of Trump’s efforts to expand America’s global influence and secure his presidential legacy, the outlet explained.
Trump has argued that US control over the Arctic island is a national security imperative, and has not ruled out taking the territory by force if necessary. The former real estate developer first floated the possibility of acquiring Greenland during his previous term in office, calling the potential acquisition “a large real estate deal.”
Trump’s idea has so far been dismissed by the current administration of US President Joe Biden, the EU, Denmark, and the government of Greenland itself.
Trump’s renewed statements, however, indicate that his desire is a “deep-rooted ambition” rather than “a fleeting fancy,” Reuters wrote on Thursday.
Trump sees territorial expansion as a means of creating a lasting legacy that will be remembered for generations, the outlet cited sources as saying. The US was last expanded in 1959, when Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th US states under then-President Dwight Eisenhower.
Trump has also recently spoken about taking over the Panama Canal and Canada.
One source told the agency that the future president is unlikely to use military force to gain control over Greenland. However, he is serious about using other means – including applying diplomatic and economic pressure on Denmark.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, lies between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. It is home to a large US military base and is located on the shortest route from North America to Europe. Its territory is larger than Mexico but is home to fewer than 57,000 permanent residents. The island gained home rule from Copenhagen in 1979.
Greenland’s significance has grown due to its rich natural resources, including rare earth minerals. As climate change makes the Arctic more accessible, its potential for exploiting resources and emerging shipping lanes has drawn heightened attention from global powers, including China and Russia.
Moscow seeks to keep the Arctic stable, the Russian ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, said on Thursday.
In a post on Telegram, the diplomat wrote that “an attempt to strengthen US national security at the expense of other countries… will be taken into account by Russia in its military planning.”
The deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former president, Dmitry Medvedev, has described Trump’s plans as “over the top and eccentric – and totally unworkable.”
“There is not going to be a quick solution to the conflict in Ukraine; the US economy will waddle on at a leisurely pace… so instead, Trump has decided to ‘reshape’ the world… to redraw the political map in his own style. A new, vibrant, and colorful globe to replace the dull and gray old one,” Medvedev said.
