Vladimir Putin has said that Donald Trump's repeated threats to bring Greenland under US control should be taken seriously.
Speaking to reporters at a policy forum in the Arctic port of Murmansk, the Russian President said: “It would be a grave mistake to think that this is just some eccentric talk of the new American administration, nothing of the kind.”
He said that America’s interest in the territory had “deep historic roots”, noting that the US first considered plans to win control over Greenland in the 19th century, and then offered to buy it from Denmark after World War II.
“It is obvious that the US will continue to promote their geopolitical, military and economic interests in the Arctic,” he said.
"As for Greenland, I think that this is an issue that concerns two states and has nothing to do with us.
"However, we are concerned by the fact that the NATO countries increasingly identify the far north as a foothold for possible conflicts."
Trump sparked global alarm after suggesting that the US should in some form control the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of Denmark, a US ally and Nato member.
Greenland has broader strategic value as both China and Russia seek access to its waterways and natural resources.
Russia has sought to assert its influence over wide areas of the Arctic in competition with the United States, Canada, Denmark and Norway as shrinking polar ice from the warming planet offers new opportunities for resources and shipping routes.
China also has shown an increasing interest in the region.
US Vice President JD Vance will visit Greenland on Friday, in a scaled-back version of a trip plan that had angered authorities in both Greenland and Denmark.
The initial plan had been for Vance's wife, Usha, to visit a popular dog-sled race together with national security adviser Mike Waltz, even though they were not invited by authorities in either Greenland or Denmark.
Greenland's acting Prime Minister Mute Egede called the visit a provocation as the country has not yet formed a new government after a March 11 election.
