The Kremlin is closely monitoring Trump's efforts to acquire Greenland.

• The Kremlin is closely monitoring President-elect Donald Trump's efforts to acquire Greenland.
• This week, Trump stated that he wouldn't exclude the possibility of employing military force to obtain the strategically vital Arctic island.
• Greenland, although an autonomous territory of Denmark, is viewed by Trump as being within the U.S.' economic and national interests regarding ownership.

The Kremlin is closely monitoring President-elect Donald Trump's efforts to acquire Greenland.

Trump stated that he wouldn't exclude the possibility of employing military force to seize the Arctic island, which is an autonomous region of Denmark and serves the U.S.' economic and national interests.

Some pro-Kremlin figures in Russia, including a figure close to President Putin, have expressed support for Trump's comments about Greenland, arguing that any U.S. move to claim the territory would legitimize Russia's own expansionist goals and ambitions to reclaim former Soviet territories, such as the Baltics, under its sphere of influence and power.

President-elect Trump has been cautioned by European leaders against seizing Greenland, as such an action would breach international boundaries. Additionally, both Denmark and Greenland have made it clear that the island, which hosts a U.S. military base, is not up for sale.

Russia is closely monitoring the situation, as stated by Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov in the Kremlin's first public comments on the matter on Thursday.

Peskov stated that such claims are likely a matter of the relationship between the United States and Denmark, as reported by Tass and translated by Google.

Peskov stated that we are closely monitoring the situation's dramatic development but, thankfully, it has not escalated beyond statements.

What did Trump say?

In December, Trump reiterated his claim that Greenland's ownership is crucial for the U.S.'s economic and national security, repeating his demand for the island that he made during his first term as president.

On Tuesday, Trump reiterated his earlier comments and stated that he would not rule out using force to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal. Additionally, he has proposed turning Canada into a state and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

The European Union will not tolerate attacks on its sovereign borders, as France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned Trump's comments in Europe on Wednesday.

Russia's leadership is closely monitoring Trump's proposals, regardless of their feasibility, due to its own growing interests in the Arctic region, where it has been expanding its political, economic, and military influence in recent years.

Greenland, although an autonomous region of Denmark, has connections to the U.S. due to American military installations constructed on the island after World War II. During the war, Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany, leading to an agreement in 1941 between Copenhagen and the U.S. that granted the U.S. control over Greenland's defense.

'Absurd' idea

The Danish government has consistently rejected Trump's proposal to buy Greenland, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling it "absurd" in 2019.

Greenland reiterated its stance against being sold by Trump in December, with Prime Minister Mute Egede stating that Greenland belongs to its people.

Recently, Denmark has taken steps to assert its control over Greenland, which may have been prompted by Trump's statements.

In December, Trump made comments about Greenland, and in response, Copenhagen announced it would increase defense spending in the Arctic to strengthen its presence. On Monday, it was announced that Denmark's King Frederik X had updated his coat of arms to give Greenland and the Faroe Islands greater symbolic prominence and assert them as a central part of the Danish realm.

Despite Greenland and Denmark's rejection, Trump declared on Monday that his son Donald Trump Jr. was visiting the island unexpectedly.

Trump announced that Don Jr and other representatives will visit Greenland to explore its magnificent areas and sights. He stated that Greenland is an incredible place and the people will benefit greatly if it becomes part of the United States. Trump pledged to protect and cherish Greenland from any outside threats. He concluded by saying, "MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!"