Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to keep Moscow at arm’s length from US President Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland, declaring that the issue lies strictly between Washington and its Nato allies.
His remarks come amid rising tensions between the United States and Europe over Trump’s repeated assertions on the strategically located Arctic island, and at a time when Russia appears content to watch the fallout unfold.
However, Donald Trump in his address in Davos said he will not go ahead with imposing proposed tariffs on European nations over them not supporting him on Greenland.
While Putin formally dismissed any Russian involvement, his comments – coupled with the reaction from Russian officials and pro-Kremlin commentators – suggest Moscow sees opportunity in the growing discord within the Western alliance. The Greenland debate has not only strained relations between the US and Denmark but has also revived broader questions about Nato unity and Europe’s ability to push back against American expansionist rhetoric.
Putin: Greenland not Russia’s concern
Speaking during a televised meeting of Russia’s national security council, Putin made clear that Moscow would not intervene.
“What happens to Greenland is none of our business,” he said. “It certainly doesn't concern us. I think they'll sort it out among themselves.”
Putin also criticised Denmark’s historical treatment of Greenland. “Incidentally, Denmark has always treated Greenland as a colony and has been quite harsh, if not cruel, towards it. But that's a different matter entirely, and I doubt anyone's interested in it right now.”
He cited historical precedents, recalling that Denmark sold the Virgin Islands to the US in 1917, and that Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million, suggesting that if they did it back then what’s the problem now?
A careful Kremlin calculus
Putin’s comments come despite Trump citing security threats from Russia as part of his justification for seeking control over Greenland, a self-governed Danish territory rich in minerals and of growing strategic value in the Arctic.
Earlier this week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov underlined the global implications of such a move. “There are international experts who believe that if Trump takes control of Greenland, he will go down in history, and not only US history but world history,” Peskov said. “Without discussing whether it's good or bad, it's hard not to agree with these experts.”
Putin later said Trump’s interest in Greenland was not surprising, noting that the United States had explored acquiring the territory as far back as the 19th century and again after World War II.
Russia watches US-Europe tensions
As tensions escalated between Washington and European capitals over the last week, Russian officials, state-backed media responded with a mix of approval and caution. Some argued that the episode weakens the European Union and Nato, while also shifting Western focus away from Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Europe is already witnessing the biggest conflict on the continent in its Eastern flank and certainly not in a position to afford one more in its backyard that too with its biggest ally and transatlantic partner United States.
At the same time, analysts in Moscow warned that a stronger US presence in Greenland could pose long-term security and economic challenges for Russia, which has significantly expanded its military footprint across the Arctic, home to its Northern Fleet and key strategic infrastructure.
Trump doubles down in Davos
Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, Trump reiterated that he wants to “get Greenland” but said he would not use force, while criticising European allies and suggesting Nato should not obstruct US ambitions.
Trump also dropped his plan to impose tariffs on multiple European nations over them not supporting him in his bid for Greenland.
Ever since US ops in Venezuela to take out its leader Nicolas Maduro, Trump has renewed his push to wrest control of mineral rich - strategic island. He has repeatedly cited vital national security implications for United States and alleged masssive Russian and Chinese pressence in and around the self-governed terroritory behind his move.
The Kremlin has neither endorsed nor criticised Trump’s position, a stance probably attempted towards Moscow’s broader effort to keep diplomatic channels open as negotiations over Ukraine and wider US-Russia relations continue.
‘Board of Peace’ invite under review
Trump also said in Davos that Putin had agreed to join his proposed “Board of Peace”, a grouping of world leaders attempting to parallel the UN. The Kremlin, however, said it was still reviewing the proposal.
“The Russian foreign ministry has been charged with studying the documents that were sent to us and consulting on the topic with our strategic partners,” Putin said during a televised cabinet meeting. “It is only after that we'll be able to reply to the invitation.”
The proposal, which reportedly involves a $1 billion contribution for permanent membership and has drawn criticism from several US allies, adds another dimension to an already complex phase in US-Russia and US-Europe relations.
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