US-RUSSIA: US Serious About Greenland, Will Promote Interests In Arctic - Putin

Reuters carrying comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking at the Arctic Forum in Murmansk, Russia, on the increased geopolitical focus on the Arctic region.

• Putin says the US, “has long eyed Greenland,” is “serious about Greenland,” and will “promote its interests in the Arctic.”
• Putin says Russia is “concerned that NATO sees the North as the possible foothold for conflicts,” noting that Russia has never threatened anyone in the Arctic, but is “closely watching situation” and will defend its interests.
• Putin says that Russia, “will increase capabilities of northern ports” and “boost fleet of ice breakers” as Moscow lacks domestic capabilities for Arctic fleet.
• Putin’s comments come ahead of US Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Greenland, scheduled to go ahead on Friday, despite scaling down the scope of the trip amid tensions between Washington, Copenhagen, and Nuuk.
• The 2025 Annual Threat Assessment report released by the US intelligence services this week noted that Russia and China have strategic interests in military, shipping, and energy infrastructure in the Arctic.
• The report notes: “Russia’s interest in Greenland is focused mainly on its proximity to strategically important naval routes between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans—including for nuclear-armed submarines—and the fact that Greenland hosts a key U.S. military base.”
• The report adds that China and Russia, “probably will expand combined bomber patrols and naval operations in the Arctic theater to signal their cooperation and make it more concrete.”