Russia raises alarm over NATO military presence in Greenland

Russia has expressed serious concern over the arrival of NATO military personnel in Greenland, a strategically vital and mineral-rich Arctic island that U.S. President Donald Trump has previously threatened to seize, sharply escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow.

In a statement issued late Wednesday, the Russian Embassy in Belgium, where NATO is headquartered, said the situation in the Arctic “is of serious concern,” accusing the alliance of using false security narratives to justify its expanding military footprint.

The embassy claimed NATO was building up forces in Greenland under the pretext of countering threats from Russia and China, warning that such moves risk turning the Arctic into a new zone of geopolitical confrontation.

Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has gained global attention in recent years due to its rare earth mineral reserves, melting ice routes, and growing strategic importance for military and commercial shipping.

Trump’s past remarks about acquiring Greenland had earlier triggered diplomatic outrage in Europe, but the latest NATO deployment has now drawn Moscow directly into the debate, raising fears of a renewed U.S.–Russia rivalry in the Arctic region.

Arctic emerging as new battleground

Analysts say the Arctic is increasingly becoming a frontline in global power competition, with the U.S., Russia, China and NATO all seeking influence over resources and trade routes.

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With NATO reinforcing its presence and Russia responding sharply, Greenland could soon emerge as a key flashpoint in a widening Trump–Putin geopolitical standoff.