In a statement, Putin also accuses the NATO countries of wanting to make the Arctic “a springboard for possible conflicts,” writes the news agency Reuters. The president mentions Sweden and Finland as “NATO’s newly recruited members”, and believes it created problems.
– Until recently, we had no problems with them (Sweden and Finland), but now they have created these problems on their own. I have no idea why, but we will answer this, says Putin.
The Russian president also emphasizes Trump’s seriousness to want to take over Greenland. In Wednesday’s statement, Trump said he is prepared to “go a long way” to take control of the island.
– It is obvious that the Arctic’s role and significance are growing, both for Russia and for the whole world. But unfortunately, geopolitical competition is also intensified, the struggle for positions in this region, he says.
In the Arctic, including the area around Greenland, there are fossil fuels and minerals under the ground and the seabed that may become more accessible in line with global warming.