The Kremlin announced on Thursday that it’s closely monitoring President-elect Donald Trump’s “dramatic” statements regarding potential expansionist actions, including acquiring Greenland and incorporating Canada as a U.S. state, alongside his comments on the Panama Canal.
“The Arctic is a region vital to our national and strategic interests,” a spokesperson stated, according to a Reuters transcript. “We aim to maintain peace and stability in the Arctic.”
“We are carefully observing this dramatic situation’s development, although thankfully, it remains at the statement level for now,” the spokesperson added.
Trump’s earlier comments about potentially using military or economic force to take the Danish territory of Greenland and the Panama Canal have prompted criticism from European leaders, such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Scholz reminded Trump that national sovereignty is a cornerstone of international law and a fundamental Western value.
In a Wednesday X post, Scholz expressed his “incomprehension” and reiterated that national sovereignty applies universally. He added that, in discussions with European partners, there’s unease about recent U.S. statements, emphasizing the need for unity among European nations.
Despite international concern, some European responses to Trump’s statements have been muted.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded on Tuesday, asserting Greenland’s sovereignty while welcoming the international attention.
Similarly, a Wednesday statement from Greenland’s leader, who supports independence from Denmark, called for calm and expressed Greenland’s willingness to collaborate with the incoming U.S. administration and other NATO allies to ensure Arctic security and stability.
This statement subtly highlights Greenland’s protection under NATO, given Denmark’s membership, although Greenland’s status post-independence and potential NATO membership remain unclear. Any attack on Greenland, including by the U.S., would likely trigger Article Five of the NATO treaty, leading to a military response from other allies.
The Trump transition team didn’t respond to inquiries about potential treaty violations and the risk of military conflict with NATO allies.
Instead, a statement from Trump transition team spokesperson Karoline Leavitt asserted that all President Trump’s decisions prioritize U.S. interests.
However, Russian officials noted the seemingly restrained European response, with Peskov stating on Thursday that Europe’s reaction was “very timid,” suggesting fear of responding directly to Trump’s statements.
“If the opinions of the people must be considered,” Peskov added, referring to the annexation of four Ukrainian regions in 2022 (excluding Crimea), “then perhaps we should show the same respect for the opinion of the people in those regions.”
NATO did not immediately respond to inquiries.