Moscow: As US President Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland unsettles Denmark and raises concerns over NATO unity, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the issue does not concern Moscow and should be resolved between the parties involved.
Speaking during a televised meeting of Russia’s National Security Council late Wednesday night, Putin made it clear that Russia does not intend to involve itself in the controversy.
“What happens to Greenland is none of our business,” Putin said.
‘They’ll Sort It Out Themselves’: Putin
Putin suggested that the matter was strictly bilateral, dismissing speculation about broader geopolitical fallout.
“It certainly doesn’t concern us. I think they’ll sort it out among themselves,” he said.
However, Putin also made a pointed historical observation, noting that Denmark has long treated Greenland as a colony.
“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 added.
Historic Land Sales Cited
To put Trump’s proposal in historical context, Putin referenced past territorial transactions involving the United States.
He recalled that Denmark sold the Virgin Islands to the US in 1917, and pointed out that Russia itself sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million.
The remarks appeared aimed at framing Trump’s Greenland push as part of a long history of territorial negotiations, rather than an unprecedented move.
Backdrop of NATO Unease
Trump’s demand to acquire Greenland—an autonomous territory of Denmark—has sparked alarm across Europe, with NATO leaders warning that the move could fracture alliance unity and undermine collective security principles.
While Denmark has firmly rejected any sale, the controversy continues to fuel diplomatic tension among NATO members.