Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared on Wednesday that Moscow would take "adequate countermeasures," including military action, if Greenland is militarized or hosts infrastructure targeting Russia. The statement followed NATO's announcement of a new Arctic security mission, "Arctic Sentry," aimed at addressing the region's growing strategic importance amid heightened U.S. interest in the Danish territory.
Lavrov accused NATO of transforming the Arctic into a "zone of confrontation," emphasizing Russia's "indisputable" rights over the Northern Sea Route. He warned that NATO's military activities risked provoking incidents with "serious consequences." The remarks coincided with NATO's launch of its Arctic mission, which will initially coordinate member-state exercises, including contributions from Denmark, Norway, and Germany.
Tensions escalated after former U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly emphasized Greenland's strategic value, proposing a missile defense system on the island. While Trump recently softened his stance, U.S. Vice President JD Vance reiterated Washington's Arctic ambitions, stating allies had underinvested in regional security and suggesting the U.S. expects "corresponding benefits" for its role.
Denmark and Greenland are renegotiating a 1951 treaty governing U.S. military presence, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen supporting a "permanent" NATO presence in the Arctic. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov condemned U.S. motives as a pursuit of "global dominance," vowing to protect national security "under any circumstances."
