Listen to Donald Trump and you would think Moscow and Beijing were lying in wait off the coast of Greenland, ready to pounce to boost their power in the Arctic.
There are Russian destroyers, there are Chinese destroyers, and bigger, there are Russian submarines all over the place, President Trump said recently. According to him, US control of Greenland is essential for national security.
However, Russia's government has reacted not with fear, but with unexpected glee. In a remarkable article, the Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta praised Trump and criticized European leaders who oppose a US annexation of Greenland.
Standing in the way of the US president's historic breakthrough is the stubbornness of Copenhagen and the mock solidarity of intransigent European countries, including so-called friends of America, Britain and France, it stated.
As the Russian commentary continues, it describes the potential annexation as a chance for Trump to secure his legacy, suggesting that if he were to incorporate Greenland before July 4, 2026, he would cement himself as a pivotal figure in American history.
The article echoes sentiments about the geopolitical implications of Greenland for America and applauds Trump for pushing back against European opposition, which is seen as a sign of American greatness versus European complacency.
If Trump annexes Greenland by July 4 2026... he will go down in history as a figure who asserted the greatness of the United States, it argued. Such a move, it claimed, would allow the US to surpass Canada in size, comparing it to historic events like the abolition of slavery.
Beyond mere admiration, the Russian platform points out that any American complications in the Arctic could weaken NATO and friendly relations among Western allies—insight that serves Moscow's interests.
In summary, this commentary illustrates Russia's opportunistic stance as it seeks to exploit divisions within the transatlantic alliance. As Europe grapples with its response to US actions, Russia revels in the perceived discord, suggesting that the unfolding situation could yield benefits for the Kremlin amidst ongoing strategies in Ukraine.
