Between Trump’s Hammer and Putin’s Anvil: Greenland’s Fate in the Hands of the Great Powers

31st March 2025

3 minutes read

Between Trump’s Hammer and Putin’s Anvil: Greenland’s Fate in the Hands of the Great Powers

Greenland has long held a crucial strategic position in international politics due to its geographical location and natural resources.

However, rising geopolitical tensions have once again brought the island into the spotlight, especially amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambitions to annex it to the United States.

What is particularly controversial is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s indirect support for these aspirations. He believes that America has a natural right to Greenland, just as Russia claims its right to Ukraine. This has raised questions about the future of the global order and whether major powers are moving towards dividing spheres of influence at the expense of smaller nations.

The magazine National Interest compared the visit of current U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha to Greenland to former Vice President Richard Nixon’s visit to Venezuela, where he and his wife faced a hostile reception. Their motorcade was attacked by an angry crowd and pelted with rotten fruit, forcing them to seek refuge in the U.S. Embassy.

J.D. Vance’s Visit to Greenland

However, J.D. Vance and his wife’s visit to Greenland was much calmer, despite some tensions. Local residents organized protests in the capital, Nuuk, prompting Vance to cut short his visit and retreat to the remote U.S. military base at Pituffik.

Vance’s Statements and Trump’s Approach

During his visit, Vance made cautious remarks, stating: “We believe the people of Greenland will choose independence from Denmark through their right to self-determination, and when that happens, we will negotiate with them. Discussing anything long-term now is premature. We do not see military force as necessary. We believe this step is logical, and since the people of Greenland are rational and good, we think we can reach a Trump-style deal that ensures the security of this region and the United States.”

Trump, on the other hand, was more direct, declaring that America “will get it – one way or another,” reflecting his blunt approach to Greenland, similar to Putin’s perspective on the Donbas region in Ukraine as an attractive target.

Putin’s Support for Trump’s Claims

Vladimir Putin expressed his understanding of Trump’s interest in Greenland. Speaking in Murmansk, he recalled that the United States had attempted to purchase Greenland in 1910 and later protected it from Nazi invasion during World War II.

Putin stated: “This may seem surprising to some at first glance, but it would be a grave mistake to think that this is merely some whimsical talk from the new U.S. administration. That is absolutely not the case.”

The magazine interpreted Putin’s message as clear: the world must accept reality. Just as Russia claims a historical right to Ukraine, the United States has a comparable right to Greenland.

Trump’s Geopolitical Ambitions

The question remains whether publicly declaring these ambitions will help Trump achieve his goal of controlling Greenland. He seems to be seeking to expand America’s influence in the Western Hemisphere and may even be open to collaborating with Putin to divide global spheres of power. He might also consider ceding Taiwan to China as part of broader geopolitical deals.

Much like Nixon’s foreign policies sparked internal rebellion within the Republican Party in the 1970s—contributing to the rise of the modern conservative movement—Trump’s ambitions could face a similar backlash within his party.

With his vice president’s visit to Greenland and mounting international and domestic opposition to his approach, Trump may find himself facing significant challenges that could impact his foreign policy and political standing in the United States.