Putin taking Trump seriously about Greenland ambitions

Russian leader Vladimir Putin spoke at the International Arctic Forum on Thursday and told attendees not to laugh off U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland. The United States has wanted Greenland since the late 19th century and even thought about taking Iceland as well, Putin claimed. America will continue to advance its strategic interests in the Arctic economically, militarily, and politically, Putin added. His remarks came just before Vice President J.D. Vance visited Greenland on Friday.

What does Vance say about the U.S. interest in Greenland? A lot of countries have threatened to use Greenland to undermine the security of the United States and Canada, Vance said. American and Danish leaders have ignored Greenland for too long, and the Trump administration aimed to reinvigorate the country’s security, he added.

What is Vance doing in Greenland? He is traveling to Greenland with Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, national security adviser Michael Waltz, and his wife, Usha Vance. Originally, only Usha was planning to visit, but Vance released a Tuesday video sharing that he planned to tag along. The vice president planned to visit the U.S. Space Force post on the Arctic island’s northwest coast and generally examine Greenland’s national security.

The island was originally ruled as a Danish colony until the mid-20th century. Greenland has independent authority over domestic affairs but still yields to Danish rule on larger issues of foreign affairs and international defense.

Dig deeper: Read my report on Greenland’s recent election for more background on the country.