Lavrov: Russia Will Take Countermeasures If Greenland Is Turned Into a Military Zone

SadaNews - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow will take "countermeasures," including military measures, if the West increases its military presence in Greenland.

In recent weeks, several European countries have sent small detachments of their military forces to Greenland after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed interest in annexing the island, which is located in the Arctic Circle and has self-governing status under Danish sovereignty.

Lavrov stated in a speech before the Russian parliament, "Certainly, if Greenland is militarized and military capabilities directed against Russia are established, we will take appropriate countermeasures, including military and technical actions."

After threatening military action, Trump later backed away from his talk about seizing Greenland, saying he had reached an agreement with NATO to increase the U.S. presence there.

Trump had previously warned that lack of U.S. control over Greenland would allow Russia or China to take over.

Lavrov said, "The United States, Denmark, and Greenland should resolve this matter among themselves."

He accused Denmark of treating the people of Greenland as "second-class citizens."