Washington is eyeing a bigger military presence in the semi-autonomous Danish territory, Vladimir Barbin has said
The US is creating an airfield infrastructure in Greenland to potentially base fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads, according to Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin, as cited by RIA Novosti.
The comment comes after US President-elect Donald Trump again expressed a desire to purchase the self-governing Arctic island from Denmark, refusing to rule out economic measures or military action to achieve this aim.
Barbin noted that the US Pituffik Space Base, which is located on the northwest coast of the island, currently comprises part of the country’s early warning for a nuclear strike from the Arctic.
“A comprehensive modernization is underway, including that of radar systems worth billions of dollars. Airfield infrastructure is also being developed for F-35 fighter jets that are capable of carrying nuclear weapons,” the ambassador said, adding that the base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, had been already used by the fighter jets during US Air Force exercises.
Barbin said that Russia is committed to “strengthening stability” in the Arctic region, but that this is only possible through the establishment of a security system that is equal for all Arctic states.
The diplomat said that Trump’s approach towards Greenland only degrades the situation and indicates an unwillingness to strengthen stability and develop dialogue in the Arctic.
Barbin warned that Russia would take Trump’s stance into consideration to ensure better defense planning.
Trump first suggested buying Greenland from Denmark in 2019 during his previous term in office. Speaking at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago earlier this week, he refused to rule out employing economic measures or military force to seize control of the territory, claiming that taking it was vital for US national security.
He has also suggested that the US should absorb Canada and adamantly stated that he would reestablish control over the Panama Canal.
Officials in Denmark and Greenland have rejected the possibility of selling the island. “Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said earlier this week.
