Russia hints Canada could face US expansion after Greenland

Thursday 08 January 2026 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Russia hints Canada could face US expansion after Greenland

A senior Russian official suggested on Monday that Canada might become the next target of U.S. territorial ambitions, as President Donald Trump's drive to acquire Greenland stirs unprecedented strains within NATO.

Kirill Dmitriev, Vladimir Putin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, posted on X in response to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller's CNN interview about Greenland. "Greenland seems settled the EU will continue doing what vassals do best: 'monitor the situation' and illustrate double standards. Canada next?" Dmitriev wrote.

The White House confirmed Tuesday that military force remains an option for securing Greenland. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated President Trump has made clear the acquisition is a U.S. national security priority, adding that U.S. military deployment stays available to the commander-in-chief.

Seven European leaders issued a joint statement Tuesday upholding Greenland's sovereignty, declaring the territory belongs to its people and that only Denmark and Greenland can decide its future. Signatories included leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned on TV2 that a U.S. attack on Greenland would spell the end of NATO, as striking another member nation militarily would halt everything. Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen urged calm while stressing the U.S. cannot simply conquer the island.

Trump's renewed focus intensified after a U.S. military operation on January 3 captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump told reporters "we'll talk Greenland in 20 days," claiming the territory swarms with Russian and Chinese ships. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers in a closed briefing Monday that the administration prefers buying Greenland over invasion, though the White House has not ruled out force. Trump has repeatedly floated making Canada the 51st state but stopped short of explicit military threats against the northern neighbor.

Dmitriev, who heads Russia's sovereign wealth fund and has engaged in Ukraine peace talks, faces U.S. sanctions.