On Thursday, the Kremlin emphasized Russia’s strategic national interests in the Arctic in response to comments made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump regarding the potential acquisition of Greenland, the annexation of Canada, and control over the Panama Canal.

Trump, set to assume office on January 20, has not dismissed the possibility of employing military or economic measures to pursue these acquisitions, reflecting a broader expansionist vision he has advocated since his election victory on November 5.

Additionally, Trump has suggested the idea of transforming Canada into a U.S. state and has expressed intentions to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. In light of Trump’s remarks about Greenland and Canada, the Kremlin indicated that, as the nation with the longest Arctic coastline, it is closely monitoring the “dramatic development” of these events.

“The Arctic represents a zone of our national and strategic interests,” stated Peskov. “We are committed to maintaining an atmosphere of peace and stability in the Arctic region.”

Peskov noted that while the situation is evolving, it remains at the level of rhetoric for now. He remarked that U.S. efforts to acquire Greenland, which date back to the 19th century, are primarily concerns for the United States and Denmark, but he observed that Europe is responding with caution to Trump’s statements.

“Europe is responding very cautiously, almost timidly, as it is understandably apprehensive about reacting to Trump’s comments,” Peskov added.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacted with astonishment to Trump’s statements regarding Greenland and Canada, emphasizing that European allies concurred on the importance of border integrity as a core tenet of international law.

In response to Trump’s comments about the Panama Canal, which the U.S. constructed and governed until its transfer to Panama in 1999, the Kremlin acknowledged the remarks but indicated that the matter was for the United States and Panama to resolve.

“The management of the canal rests solely with the Panamanian authorities, and that will remain unchanged,” Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha stated to the press on Tuesday.