Russia's Surprising Support for Trump's Greenland Ambitions

Tue Jan 20 2026 08:39:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent article, Russia's state media expressed unexpected admiration for President Trump's intentions to annex Greenland, depicting the situation as a setback for Europe.

An analysis of recent Russian media coverage reveals an enthusiastic endorsement of President Trump's Greenland strategy. The piece criticizes European countries, suggesting they are impeding what could be a monumental deal for the US, while voicing satisfaction at the perceived division within Europe. This perspective underscores Russia's interest in the geopolitical ramifications that may arise from Trump's ambitions.

Listen to Donald Trump and you would think Moscow and Beijing were lying in wait off the coast of Greenland, ready to pounce to boost their power in the Arctic.

There are Russian destroyers, there are Chinese destroyers and, bigger, there are Russian submarines all over the place, President Trump said recently. That is why, according to America's president, US control of Greenland is essential.

But how do you think Moscow has reacted to its alleged plot being uncovered and potentially thwarted by a US takeover of Greenland? The Russians can't be pleased. Right? Wrong.

In an astonishing article, the Russian government paper is full of praise for Trump and critical of European leaders who oppose a US annexation of Greenland. Standing in the way of the US president's historic breakthrough is the stubbornness of Copenhagen and the mock solidarity of intransigent European countries, including so-called friends of America, Britain and France, writes Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

Europe does not need the American greatness that Trump is promoting. Brussels is counting on 'drowning' the US president in the midterm congressional elections, on preventing him from concluding the greatest deal of his life. The article goes on to fantasize about the potential historic significance of a Greenland annexation by America.

According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, if Trump successfully annexes Greenland by July 4, 2026, he will be celebrated as a pivotal figure in American history. The article states, With Greenland, the US becomes the second largest country in the world after Russia, surpassing Canada in area. For Americans, that's on par with such planetary events as the abolition of slavery by Abraham Lincoln in 1862 or the territorial conquests of the Napoleonic Wars.

In other words, it's in Trump's interest to push ahead with his plans to take over Greenland, according to the Russian government paper. Let that sink in.

But why the praise from Moscow? It's because Russia has much to gain from the current situation. Trump's fixation with Greenland and his determination to impose tariffs on European countries that oppose his plan have put a huge strain on the transatlantic alliance, which is viewed by Moscow as beneficial.

Europe is at a total loss and, to be honest, it's a pleasure to watch this, gloated the Russian tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets regarding Greenland.

Additionally, American threats to annex Greenland are being used by pro-Kremlin commentators to justify Russia's war on Ukraine, which remains the Kremlin's priority. Moscow believes that maintaining a positive relationship with the Trump administration will help achieve this, hence the focus on criticizing Europe rather than Trump.