Ukraine’s The Kyiv Independent reported on the afternoon of January 18, local time, that several senior officials of the Russian Federation welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on NATO allies in Europe in connection with Greenland. Among them, the Special Envoy of the President of the Russian Federation for foreign investment and economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, stated that the move signaled the “collapse” of the transatlantic alliance.
Earlier, on January 17, President Trump announced on the social media platform Truth Social that: “Starting February 1, 2026, all of the above-mentioned countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland) will be subject to a 10% tariff on any and all goods shipped to the United States. By June 1, 2026, the tariff rate will increase to 25%. These tariffs will be imposed and must be paid until a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
According to President Trump, the reason is that “Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland have gone to Greenland with unclear intentions. This is an extremely dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.”
Regarding this issue, Dmitriev wrote on the social media platform X: “The transatlantic alliance is over,” while also urging European leaders not to “provoke” the U.S. leader.
For his part, former President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, who currently serves as Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, also welcomed Trump’s statement, viewing it as evidence that internal rifts within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are deepening.
“The United States is preparing to attack Greenland, choosing this very island instead of something called transatlantic solidarity,” Medvedev said, adding that European countries would be “punished with tariffs” for relying on U.S. protection.
Earlier, Medvedev had urged Trump to swiftly annex Greenland.
Greenland, home to around 56,000 people, already hosts a U.S. military base and has become increasingly strategically important amid rising competition in the Arctic.
According to Ukrainian media outlets UNIAN and New Voice of Ukraine on January 19, Trump first proposed purchasing Greenland during his 2017–2021 term, reportedly offering USD 600 million per year in exchange for permanent U.S. access to the island.
The Trump administration revived the idea in 2025, with discussions over annexation intensifying in January 2026 following the U.S. campaign against Venezuela.
On January 4, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called on the Trump administration to “stop threatening” to seize Greenland, stating that the United States has no right to annex any part of Denmark’s territory.
On January 13, Republican Congressman Randy Fine introduced a bill in the U.S. Congress calling for the annexation of Greenland and its recognition as a U.S. state. The bill would allow Trump to negotiate with Denmark and subsequently amend federal law to make Greenland the 51st state of the United States.
In response to the Trump administration’s rhetoric, Greenland called for support from the United Kingdom and proposed dialogue instead of the use of force.
On January 16, reports indicated that the United States plans to hold talks with the Danish government and the Greenlandic authorities approximately every two to three weeks. A working group has been established to continue technical discussions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the first meeting, held in Washington, D.C. on January 14, as “good” and “effective.”
The Kyiv Independent further reported that several European Union (EU) member states have publicly expressed support for Denmark since Trump renewed his threats to annex Greenland, reflecting growing concern in Europe over the potential consequences for NATO cohesion.
Trump has asserted that NATO would become “stronger and more effective” if Greenland were under U.S. control—an argument rejected by European leaders.
Cyprus, the country currently holding the rotating presidency of the EU, announced that EU ambassadors would convene an emergency meeting to assess the situation and discuss possible responses.
Source: Tin Tuc Newspaper
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