People protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in front of US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland. (AP Photo)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday said that Greenland was not “a natural part” of Denmark and that the problem with former colonial territories was becoming more acute as US President Donald Trump has ramped up his push to acquire the self-governing territory.
Trump has reiterated that he wants complete US control over Greenland due to national security reasons which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. The US president on Saturday threatened to impose a 10% tariff on eight European countries from February onwards after they opposed a potential US takeover of the island.
Russia has responded in a triumphant way to the US attempts of acquiring Greenland but has bristled at Trump’s suggestion that Moscow is also looking to take control of the territory.
During a press briefing in Moscow on Tuesday, Russian foreign minister Lavrov said that Moscow had no interest in interfering with the affairs of Greenland and that the Kremlin had no plans to take over the island.
“In principle, Greenland is not a natural part of Denmark, is it? Lavrov said. The Russian minister added, “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 accustomed to it and feel comfortable is another matter.”
The United States cares greatly about the people of Europe and the bonds we share as a civilization. But we want strong allies, not seriously weakened ones. Europe must depart from the culture they've created over the last ten years. Otherwise, they will destroy themselves. pic.twitter.com/rNQrd1KojK
European countries have said that Trump’s tariff announcement, over the Greenland issue, is set to violate a trade deal which was reached last year with his administration. The European Union leaders are poised to discuss the retaliatory measures which the bloc can take in response to the tariffs at an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday.
However, softening his tone in a surprise appearance at the White House press briefing on Tuesday, Trump said that the United States and NATO will come to an agreement on the future of Greenland that will satisfy both sides.
“I think that we will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we’re going to be very happy, but we need it for security purposes,” Trump said.
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People protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in front of US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland. (AP Photo) 
