US annexation of Greenland would pose ‘military threat’ – top Russian MP

The Arctic island could provide a springboard for a future war, Andrey Kartapolov has said

The US could use Greenland for staging an attack on Russia, State Duma Defense Committee chairman Andrey Kartapolov has said on Thursday. His comment came after US President-elect Donald Trump renewed his old plan of purchasing the self-governing Arctic island from Denmark.

Trump has insisted that “ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity” for American national security.

Asked by RIA Novosti whether a potential US annexation of Greenland would pose a “military threat” to Russia, Kartapolov replied: “Obviously.”

“Greenland occupies a very large area in the Arctic and gives direct access to the Arctic, so for us it would not be the best option,” he said. The legislator argued that the island could serve as “a good springboard for America in a future hypothetical intercontinental clash.”

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Kremlin responds to Trump’s Greenland acquisition proposal

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Thursday that Moscow is “interested in maintaining an atmosphere of peace and stability” in the region. President Vladimir Putin’s senior aide, Nikolay Patrushev, warned in September that “the military activity of NATO members in the Arctic increases the potential for conflict.”

Danish officials have firmly rejected the possibility of selling the island. “Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated on Tuesday.

In 2009, Greenland was granted the right to declare independence through a referendum. The island’s pro-independence prime minister, Mute Bourup Egede, has also rejected Trump’s acquisition proposal.

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Denmark changes coat of arms as Trump eyes Greenland

“We fully recognize that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialize, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said.

Greenland, the world’s largest island, was granted home rule by Denmark in 1979. Its territory is rich with oil and minerals. Greenland is also a home to the US Pituffik military base and NATO infrastructure.

Trump, who takes office on January 20, has also suggested that the US should absorb Canada and reestablish control over the Panama Canal.