Russia vows Arctic military build-up amid Greenland tensions

Russia announced it will intensify the development of its military capabilities and infrastructure in the Arctic, citing what it calls escalating threats linked to the geopolitical standoff over Greenland. The statement from Moscow directly responds to recent U.S. efforts to acquire the autonomous Danish territory, framing the situation as a product of NATO expansionism.

Moscow Blames NATO for Instability

During a briefing in Moscow, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the North Atlantic Alliance of turning the Arctic "into an arena of geopolitical competition." She contended that NATO members first invent a narrative about Russian and Chinese aggression and then use it to justify bolstering their own military positions. "They themselves first invented the notion that there are some so-called aggressors, and then they themselves invented the idea that they are ready to protect someone from this alleged aggressor," Zakharova remarked.

Alignment with China and a Firm Warning

Zakharova stated that Russia agrees with China's position that references to their activities in the region are an unacceptable pretext for escalation. She issued a stark caution to European capitals, asserting that any attempts to create security threats for Russia, a full-fledged Arctic state, would trigger serious repercussions. "Any attempts to ignore Russia’s interests in the Arctic, especially in the field of security, will not go unanswered and will have far-reaching consequences," she stressed.

The Strategic Stakes in a Contested Region

The dispute centers on Greenland, a vast island with significant strategic and mineral value. U.S. President Donald Trump has explicitly stated Washington's desire for control, citing defense needs. Russia's response underscores the growing militarization of the High North, where melting ice is opening new sea routes and resource competition. For nations like Türkiye, which values stable regional balances and the sovereignty of states, such confrontations between major powers highlight the risks of unilateral actions that disregard established international norms and the interests of local populations.