"We know what to do. Ukraine can help if Russian warships move freely around Greenland; we have the expertise and weapons to ensure no vessel survives. They will sink near Greenland just like off Crimea", Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on 22/1.

He noted that the ocean "is not the first line of defense" and the Ukrainian military is capable of acting. "If requested, and as a NATO member — a status we currently do not have — Ukraine will resolve the issue of Russian warships", President Zelensky emphasized.

President Zelensky speaking at the annual WEF meeting in Davos, Switzerland on 22/1. *AFP*

The Ukrainian leader also commented on reports of European countries deploying tens of soldiers to Greenland, questioning what message this move would "send" to Denmark, Russia, and China.

"If European bases are not established in Greenland and clearly declared to protect the region from Russia and China, you risk not being taken seriously, because 30-40 servicemen cannot protect anything", he said.

Russian and NATO officials have not commented on the information.

Unmanned surface vessels have helped Ukraine achieve significant military success in the Black Sea. They have threatened the Russian Black Sea Fleet, destroyed several warships, and limited the operations of many other vessels, helping Ukraine maintain maritime trade routes to Europe.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated late last year that its unmanned surface vessels had struck 11 Russian naval vessels since the conflict began.

Ukraine's Sea Baby unmanned surface vessel in an image released in 10/2025. *SBU*

US President Donald Trump recently stated repeatedly his desire to control Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, despite opposition from Denmark and many European nations. Trump said if the US does not control Greenland, Russia or China will.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on 22/1 that a goal in current discussions with the US about Greenland is to "ensure Russia and China do not access the island financially or militarily".

NATO and Russia have both increased their military presence in the Arctic in recent years. Moscow has not claimed sovereignty over Greenland but has long noted the island's strategic role in Arctic security, as it guards North Atlantic shipping lanes and hosts a US military base.