NATO activities, Putin comes out with a message for Finland and Sweden
Vladimir Putin delivered a speech to members of the International Arctic Forum tonight.
He made intriguing comments at the beginning of his speech about Donald Trump’s statements about taking over Greenland, Sky News reports. KosovaPress.
The Russian president said that these ambitions are no surprise and should be taken seriously.
Denmark firmly opposes US interest in buying Greenland • KosovaPress
“It would be a big mistake to think that this is just a strange story of the new American administration, because it is not so,” Putin said.
He added that similar plans were first presented by Washington in the 1860s, but the proposal to annex Greenland and Iceland was rejected by Congress at the time.
“These plans have deep historical roots and it is clear that the US will continue to promote its geopolitical, military and economic interests in the Arctic,” he added.
As for Greenland, Putin believes it is an issue that concerns two countries and has nothing to do with Russia.
Marco Rubio: Greenland is a national interest of the US • KosovaPress
“We are concerned about the fact that NATO countries are increasingly recognizing the Far North as a stronghold for potential conflicts,” the Russian president added.
Putin stated that Russia will defend its interests and will increase the number of military personnel in the Arctic.
“We are concerned about the fact that NATO countries are increasingly recognizing the Far North as a stronghold for potential conflicts. Russia will respond to the involvement of Finland and Sweden in NATO activities,” he said.
Recall, the Russian leader is seeking to intensify trade via the Northern Sea Route through Arctic waters, while his country is redirecting trade towards Asia and away from Europe due to Western sanctions imposed on Russia for the war it started.
The flow of goods through the Northern Sea Route has increased tenfold in the last decade, reaching 38 million tons and is planned to increase to over 100 million tons by 2030.