Russia Strengthens Arctic Defense Following Greenland Tensions

JAKARTA - Russia stated that it would continue to strengthen its defense capabilities in the Arctic in response to threats related to the situation around Greenland.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow supports China and considers it "unacceptable" to use references to their "certain activities" in the Arctic region as an excuse to increase tensions there.

"Our country will continue to firmly defend its position in the region. We will continue our policy to strengthen national sovereignty in the Arctic zone. First and foremost, the defense capabilities and infrastructure of our own Northern Sea Route," he said as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, January 16.

Zakharova noted that the US designated Greenland as "a US sphere of interest," with an unfounded narrative about "Russian threats."

"We agree with China's position that it is unacceptable to refer to certain Russian and Chinese activities around Greenland as an excuse for the current escalation of tensions," he said.

"We also believe that the increased tensions that have emerged in the Arctic region are a direct consequence of the actions of the North Atlantic Alliance," he added.

The spokesperson urged that any differences regarding Greenland be resolved through negotiations in accordance with international law and taking into account the interests of its population.

According to Zakharova, NATO has turned the Arctic region "into a geopolitical competition arena" and is ready to use military means to strengthen its position.

"They themselves were the first to create the idea that there are some who are called aggressors, and then they themselves created the idea that they are ready to protect someone from this alleged aggressor," he said.

Zakharova warned Europe that any attempt to escalate tensions in the Arctic and create a threat to the security of Russia, a full member of the Arctic community, would have serious consequences.

"It is understood that any attempt to ignore Russia's interests in the Arctic, especially in the field of security, will not be left alone and will have far-reaching consequences," he said.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Washington needed control over Greenland for its planned Golden Dome air and missile defense system.

Greenland is part of Denmark as an autonomous region. In 1951, Washington and Copenhagen, in addition to their NATO alliance commitments, signed a defense agreement. According to this agreement, the US is obliged to defend the island from possible aggression.