The Blubber

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he considers U.S. ambitions to annex Greenland as “serious,” in light of President Donald Trump’s renewed efforts to assert American control over the Danish territory.

“We are talking about serious plans on the American side with regard to Greenland,” Putin stated on Thursday during an Arctic forum in Murmansk, a city in northern Russia.

Why It Matters

On Tuesday, President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the U.S. would “go as far as we have to go” to gain control over Greenland. The statement came ahead of an upcoming visit to the Arctic island by Vice President JD Vance — a trip that has sparked criticism from both Danish and Greenlandic officials.

In the opening of his address, Putin warned against dismissing the U.S. interest as merely eccentric. “It would be a grave mistake to think that this is just some eccentric talk of the new American administration—nothing of the kind,” he said, underscoring that Washington’s Arctic ambitions reflect a broader, long-standing strategic interest.

He pointed out that the U.S. floated similar ideas in the 1860s, when there were discussions in Washington about annexing both Greenland and Iceland, though Congress ultimately voted down the plan.

“These plans have deep historical roots,” Putin said, “and it’s clear the U.S. will continue to advance its geopolitical, military, and economic interests in the Arctic.” Regarding Greenland, he added, “I believe this is a matter between two states and does not directly concern us.”

Still, Putin expressed concern about a broader trend. “What worries us is that NATO countries are increasingly identifying the far north as a potential staging ground for future conflicts,” he said.

While stressing that “Russia has never threatened anyone in the Arctic,” Putin warned that Russia would be strengthening its military presence in the region. “The number of military servicemen in the Arctic will be rising,” he said, adding, “We are developing our response capabilities by upgrading our military infrastructure.”

“We will not allow an encroachment of the sovereignty of our country,” Putin declared. “We will protect our national interests.”

Nonetheless, he signaled that diplomacy remains possible. Putin said cooperation in the Arctic with “friendly states… possibly including Western countries” is not off the table. “I am confident that the time for such projects will definitely come,” he said.

His remarks come as the U.S. and Russia engage in talks in Saudi Arabia regarding a temporary ceasefire in the ongoing war in Ukraine. On Tuesday, the two sides agreed to a Black Sea ceasefire, marking a significant diplomatic development.