Russia is closely monitoring Trump’s claim to Greenland

The Kremlin scoffed at Europe’s response, saying it was reacting “very timidly … almost in a whisper.”

Last week, Greenland’s leader said the territory must free itself from the “shackles of colonialism”, although he did not comment on the US.

Pele Broberg, Greenland’s former foreign minister and now leader of the largest opposition party, told the BBC that most Greenlanders he spoke to believe the US is vital to their defense and security.

“We’re part of the North American continent, which is why US defenses are in such a great position with respect to Greenland, because we’re creating a buffer zone that doesn’t need to be militarized.”

He called for a “free association agreement” covering trade and defense that would give Greenland independence but hand responsibility for security to the United States.

Trump’s allies have reinforced his views on Greenland.

Keith Kellogg, Trump’s pick to end the war in Ukraine, said many of the president-elect’s statements about Greenland make sense and “put the United States in a position of global leadership.”

Republican congressman Mike Walsh told Fox News that it’s “not just about Greenland, it’s about the Arctic” as Russia tries to control the Arctic region with its mineral and natural resources.

“Denmark might be a great ally, but you can’t look at Greenland as some sort of backwater over which they have operational control – it’s in the Western Hemisphere.”