Russia Addresses Trump’s Greenland Proposal in New Statement

Trump Pressures Europe Over Greenland as Russia Issues Stark Response

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated pressure on Europe over Greenland, arguing that the Arctic island is critical to U.S. national security and warning that failure to secure it could leave room for Russian or Chinese influence.

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, and Trump has repeatedly claimed that the United States “needs” the island for strategic defense purposes. In recent months, his language has grown increasingly forceful, with Trump refusing to rule out the use of military pressure—an assertion that has alarmed European leaders.

^{Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Lavrov. Credit: Getty Images}

Denmark and its allies have firmly rejected Trump’s position, reaffirming Greenland’s status and sovereignty. In response, Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on several U.S. allies, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. The proposed measures would begin at 10 percent on February 1 and rise to 25 percent by June 1 if negotiations fail.

European leaders have warned they may respond with retaliatory tariffs.

Speaking ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump reiterated his stance, saying the United States “has to have” Greenland and that there was “no going back” on his position. He described Greenland as “imperative for national and world security.”

Trump has repeatedly suggested that if the U.S. does not act, Russia or China could seek control of the island. However, officials from both countries have publicly denied having territorial ambitions in Greenland. Denmark’s military has also stated that it sees no immediate security threat from either nation in the region.

On Tuesday, Russia addressed the controversy directly. According to Reuters, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Greenland was “not a natural part” of Denmark and described the island as a product of colonial history.

^{DEARBORN, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 13: U.S. President Donald Trump tours the Ford River Rouge Complex on January 13, 2026 in Dearborn, Michigan. Trump is visiting Michigan where he will participate in a tour of the Ford River Rouge complex and later give remarks to the Detroit Economic Club. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)}

“In principle, Greenland is not a natural part of Denmark, is it?” Lavrov said at a news conference in Moscow. “It was neither a natural part of Norway nor a natural part of Denmark. It is a colonial conquest.”

Lavrov emphasized that Russia has no intention of interfering in Greenland’s affairs and said U.S. officials are aware that Moscow has no plans to pursue control of the territory. He added that while Greenland’s current population may feel comfortable with its political status, the historical context remains relevant as discussions around former colonial territories intensify globally.

The remarks add a new layer of tension to an already fraught geopolitical debate, as Arctic security, trade disputes, and historical claims increasingly intersect on the global stage.