Vice President JD Vance is traveling to Greenland with the second lady, Energy Secretary, and national security adviser amidst plans by the White House to take control of the territory, which has caused anger and anxiety in Greenland and among American allies. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for President Trump’s desire to seize Greenland, citing historical reasons and stating that the issue is between the US and Denmark.
Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory owned by Denmark, has a population of 56,000 people and is rich in resources such as rare earth elements, oil, and natural gas. Trump’s statements about taking over Greenland have led to concerns and opposition from Denmark, which has controlled the territory for many years.
Locals in Greenland feel betrayed by the US, with one resident comparing America’s actions to bullying by a big brother. The US delegation’s visit to Greenland has been downscaled, with the Vice President’s visit now limited to the US Pituffik Space Base, far from the capital Nuuk where dissenting voices may be heard.
Russian President Putin has supported Trump’s ambitions for Greenland and cited historical attempts by the US to annex the territory dating back to the 1860s. The US approach to Greenland and Ukraine has been criticized for enabling Russian imperialism and jeopardizing American alliances and security.
Greenland’s political parties have formed a coalition government to resist the prospect of a hostile takeover by the US, with the leader of the largest party emphasizing the desire for Greenland to maintain its independence and identity.
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