The head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, during a press conference after talks with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, at the Reception House of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Moscow, May 27, 2025. PHOTO: Kommersant Photo Agency / ddp USA / Profimedia
The head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, said on Tuesday that Greenland is not “a natural part” of Denmark and that the problem of the former colonial territories is becoming more and more acute, reports Reuters.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants full US control over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark that is strategically located and rich in natural resources, for national security reasons. On Saturday, he announced the imposition of tariffs on imports from European NATO countries that oppose a potential US takeover of the Arctic island.
Russia has reacted with satisfaction to the growing divide between the US and Europe over Greenland, but was outraged by Trump's suggestion that Moscow is also seeking to take control of the island.
At a news conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia has no interest in meddling in Greenland's affairs and that Washington knows Moscow has no intention of taking control of the Arctic island.
“In principle, Greenland is not naturally part of Denmark, is it?” Lavrov said.
“It was neither a natural part of Norway nor a natural part of Denmark. It is a colonial conquest. The fact that the inhabitants are now used to it and feel comfortable is another matter,” added the head of Russian diplomacy.
European countries said Trump's announcement of tariffs would violate the trade agreement reached with the Washington administration last year. EU leaders are to discuss possible retaliation at an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament has decided to suspend the process of ratifying this trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the United States, following Donald Trump's latest threats on the subject of Greenland, as the main political groups in the Community Legislature confirmed on Tuesday.
The EU gave the first firm response to Trump's threats. Ratification of the trade agreement with the US has been suspended. What's next
Concluded in the summer, the agreement provided for 15% tariffs on European exports to the United States, but the elimination of tariffs on American exports to the EU. The EU agreed to this deal after several member states preferred to avoid a long-term trade war with the US. However, European politicians were criticized for bowing to US pressure.
