Russian Foreign Ministry assesses Denmark's reaction to Trump's statements on Greenland

Russia is surprised by Denmark's reaction to US President-elect Donald Trump's statement regarding Greenland. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on January 16.

"It is surprising that official Copenhagen reacts very restrainedly to the relevant statements they hear from the American president-elect," she said at a briefing.

According to Zakharova, the Danish authorities often use the term "Russian threat" in their rhetoric. At the same time, there are specific statements from another state that do threaten Denmark's integrity and sovereignty, as well as its legislation.

"Let's wish them courage - official Copenhagen. Maybe they will be able to squash a couple of phrases in defense of their sovereignty," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman concluded.

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Trump said that for the United States "ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity" on December 22, 2024, announcing the appointment of an ambassador to Denmark. He had previously expressed interest in buying Greenland from Denmark in 2019, but was turned down. This coming year, Trump was also indicated that the island was not for sale and would not be sold, but Denmark could cooperate more with the U.S.

Later on January 10, Trump posted a video on the social media network Truth Social of Greenlanders asking him to buy the island. Reacting to this, Danish media said the participants in the video were vulnerable citizens bribed with a hotel dinner.

On the same day, Egede reminded that Greenland is part of the North American continent and the United States sees it as a kind of "backyard" where the defense of the entire continent will be carried out.

Then, on January 13, it was reported that Republican Party representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives put forward a bill to authorize negotiations to buy Greenland. At the same time, Egede said that the citizens of Greenland should have control over the island and choose their own future.

On January 15, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Trump that Greenland itself should decide on independence.