The vice president has insisted the Danish territory would be taken over by Russia or China if not for Washington’s “power”
The US expects a share of Greenland’s natural resources as compensation for providing the island with military “protection,” Vice President J.D. Vance has stated, referring to a supposed threat posed by Russia and China to the Danish autonomous territory. Moscow and Beijing have repeatedly denied any interest in the Arctic island.
In an interview with Newsmax on Thursday, Vance argued that American power is the sole deterrent against foreign aggression in the Arctic. “We want to share in the wealth of this beautiful landmass with a lot of minerals and a lot of resources that fundamentally we’re protecting,” Vance said.
“What keeps Russia or China from invading Greenland? Is it the power of Denmark? As much as I love Denmark, no. It’s the power of the United States of America,” he claimed.
Vance also stated that taking control of the Arctic is strategically vital for the US, otherwise its “entire missile defense system could be destabilized,” making Americans “less safe.”
His comments follow US President Donald Trump’s announcement that a “framework” for a Greenland deal, negotiated with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, is now on the table and would provide the US with “all the military access we want.” The proposed framework would reportedly grant the US “sovereign base areas” on the island and fast-track rights to mine rare-earth minerals.
Both Moscow and Beijing have consistently and explicitly denied any intention to invade or claim the autonomous Danish territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated the Greenland dispute “definitely doesn’t concern us,” while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said Washington is “well aware” that neither Russia nor China have such plans.
Beijing has previously also condemned the use of Russia and China as a “pretext” for Washington’s Arctic expansion.
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