Russia's embassy in Belgium voiced serious concern on 14/1 regarding NATO's increased military presence in the high-latitude region. The embassy, located in the country hosting NATO headquarters, stated that the alliance is bolstering its presence under a "false pretext" of "growing threats from Moscow and Beijing".
The Russian embassy believes that statements by US officials regarding Greenland are being "exploited" by NATO to advance an anti-Russian and anti-Chinese agenda. The embassy also criticized some European Union (EU) countries for discussing a new campaign to contain Russia, drawing inspiration from current military missions in the Baltic region and NATO's eastern flank.
This statement marks Russia's initial response after Greenland's Deputy Premier Mute Egede announced NATO would increase troops and equipment on the island. The Kremlin and the Russian Foreign Ministry have not yet commented on this information.
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A view of Nuuk, Greenland's capital, on 13/1. Photo: AFP |
A view of Nuuk, Greenland's capital, on 13/1. Photo: AFP
Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, and France have all announced plans to deploy military personnel to Nuuk, Greenland's capital, for reconnaissance missions. This development occurs as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to acquire Greenland to "deter Russia and China". Denmark and its European allies have consistently opposed Trump's ambition.
Trump's remarks have created unprecedented pressure on NATO. The Russian embassy in Belgium suggested that internal disagreements within the bloc concerning Greenland are making NATO's ability to reach agreements "increasingly unpredictable".
Both NATO and Russia have increased their military presence in the Arctic in recent years. While Moscow has not made any territorial claims over Greenland, it has long recognized the island's strategic role in Arctic security. This is due to Greenland's position guarding North Atlantic shipping lanes and hosting a US military base and space surveillance station.
The Kremlin describes the Arctic as a region of Russia's national and strategic interest.
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Location of the United States, Russia, and Greenland island. Graphics: Britannica |
Location of the United States, Russia, and Greenland island. Graphics: Britannica
