LOS ANGELES (OC).–Deputy Chairman and war hawk of Russia’s Security Council said Greeland could vote to join the Russian Federation if President Donald Trump doesn’t act quickly to secure the vast Arctic island officially independent but considered Danish territory. Danish and Greenland officials have rejected Trump’s overtures to buy the island from Denmark with a value somewhere around $50 billion or more. A far cry from President Andrew Johnson’s 1867 purchase of Alaska for $7.2 million. So far, Demark has shown no interest in selling Greenland, nor have Greenlanders shown interest in joining the United States as citizens or as an unincorporated territory like Guam or Puerto Rico. “Trump needs to hurry. According to unverified information, in a few days there could be a sudden referendum, at which the entire 55,000 strong Greenland could vote to join Russia,” Medvedev said.
Medevdev is know in Russia as a flamethrower, often making incendiary comments proven false by more factual developments. Medevdev offers nothing gratuitous to the U.S. he considers a mortal enemy of the Russian Federation. Medevedev’s remarks make zero sense because Denmark, part of the EU and NATO, would never permit Greenland agreeing to join the Russian Fderation. Medvedev has more interest in sabotaging U.S. national security by promoting an action that could create chaos with United States. Taking Greenland by force with create shockwaves in the EU and NATO, potentially breaking up the Western Alliance, piting the U.S. against the European Union. “And then, that’s it. No new little stars on the [U.S/] flag,” Medvedev said, showing his ever-sarcastic side. Taking Greenland by force would be an unprecedented move by the U.S.
Paying 16% if NATO’s 4.6 billion euro budget, the U.S. contributes more to the NATO alliance by far than any other country. Trump has pushed NATO for years to increase the amount each country pays for the transatlantic alliance, a key fixture in the post-WW II security arrangement for Europe. Trump said recently that Greenland is a top priority for U.S. national security given they have no military to defend their borders if Russia or China decided at anytime to seize the territory. Medvedev has no interest in defending U.S. national security and would do anything to harm the U.S. relationship to NATO and the EU. Trump finds himself in a quandary deciding how to proceed with Greenland, knowing that Demarks expressed no interest in selling the island. Trump would gladly pay Denmark what the island’s value, something increased by Trump’s recent overtures.
Medvedev talks out of his hat about the possibility of Greenland seeking to join Russia. Russia has a vested interest in anything Arctic, claiming control of much the the region north of Siberia. Trump has a relationship to Denmark and Greenland, operating a military and Space Command on the northern most territory to the North Pole. Trump renewed interest in Greenland has much to do with developing rare earth minerals used in advanced electronics and chips connected with the Artificial Intelligence industry. Currently, the U.S. buys most of its rare earth minerals used in advanced electronics from China, the only country that his taken rare earth mineral refining to the next level. Many countries have access to rare earth but not have the mining or manufacturing capability. Trump would certainly not want Russia or China to suddenly move on Greenland.
Trump said recently that he would take Greenland the easy way or the hard way but, one way or another, he would need to seize control of the strategic Arctic island. Medvedev’s comments are tongue-in-cheek, meaning they’re designed to get U.S. foreign policy into hot water with NATO and the EU. Nothing would make the Kremlin happier than to sow chaos in the the Transatlantic partnership. If Trump thinks that Greenland is in the national security interests of the United States, he should not hesitate to take the Arctic island because of its strategic importance. “Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not wan to see Russia or China take over,” Trump said, referring to the fact that Greenland currently has no defense to prevent a takeover. Greenland has far more national security significance to the U.S. than Venezuela.
If Trump and his national security team really think the U.S. cannot live without Greenland, they should try to make a final deal with Denmark to transfer ownership to the United States. Greenlanders have no vested interest in Denmark with the vast majority of the 57,000 population North American Inuits or native tribes. Greenland would like to maintain its independence and neutrality but it’s just no practical in today’s world. Trump is right that leaving Greenland unprotected leaves it vulnerable to a Russian or Chinese takeover. Since that’s not something Trump wants, he needs to press Denmark to let go of Greenland for a reasonable price. Greenland residents wants independence but they lack the military resources to guarantee their future. Under U.S. control, Greenland will be able to maintain their native traditions yet improve security and standard of living.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
