Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly said he understands why the United States views Greenland as strategically important, according to envoy Kirill Dmitriev. The comment underscores the growing geopolitical focus on the Arctic as a zone of military, economic, and resource competition.
Greenland occupies a critical position along emerging Arctic shipping routes and hosts significant reserves of rare-earth minerals vital for technology and defense. It is also home to the U.S. Pituffik (Thule) Space Base, a key facility for missile warning and space surveillance.
While Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected any discussion of a sale, and European NATO members have shown unity in opposing pressure on the territory, Russia has signaled that it is closely monitoring developments, citing its own security interests in the Arctic.
Putin’s remarks highlight that Greenland is no longer just a political issue, but a strategic focal point in great-power competition. Any future U.S. move could test NATO cohesion and reshape the balance of power in the Arctic.
