Putin Declares Greenland 'Unrelated to Russia' in Gesture Toward the US

In Murmansk, the largest city above the Arctic Circle, President Vladimir Putin pledged to "reinforce Russia's global leadership in the Arctic" while cautioning that "geopolitical competition in the region" was growing.

He cited Donald Trump's proposal to purchase Greenland as his first example.

However, Putin refrained from criticizing his U.S. counterpart, which is notable given the efforts by both the White House and the Kremlin to rebuild relations.

"In short, America's plans in relation to Greenland are serious," President Putin said in an address to Russia's Arctic Forum in Murmansk.

"These plans have deep historical roots. And it's clear that the US will continue to systematically pursue its geo-strategic, military-political and economic interests in the Аrctic."

"As for Greenland this is a matter for two specific countries. It has nothing to do with us."

This comes from the president who initiated a full-scale invasion of a sovereign neighboring country and claims to have annexed large parts of Ukraine.

During Joe Biden's time in the White House, Moscow and Washington were openly critical of each other. How times have changed.

Today, Russia is advocating for economic collaboration with the United States in the Arctic, a region rich in natural resources.

"We are open to considering different investment opportunities that we can do jointly with the US, in certain sectors approved by the Russian government," says Kirill Dmitriev, 

President Putin's envoy for foreign investment and economic cooperation.

Dmitriev, also the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, has already engaged in discussions with U.S. officials.

"We are open for investment cooperation in the Arctic. That could be in logistics, or other areas beneficial to Russia and to the US," Dmitriev adds.

"But before deals can be done the war in Ukraine needs to end," I suggest.

"Many people in the West accuse Russia of dragging its feet, showing no compromise or concessions, and just laying down conditions."

"I am focused on economics and investments, so I don't comment on political issues,"  Dmitriev responds.

"The only thing I can say is we have a very good dialogue, and I think it's very important that the US is trying to understand Russia's position."

Moscow appears confident in its ability to win over Washington with promises of lucrative deals in the Arctic and throughout Russia.

This confidence is justified, given how senior U.S. officials have echoed Kremlin narratives on the war in Ukraine and European matters.

In a recent interview with former Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, seemed to acknowledge the results of Moscow-organized referenda held in Ukrainian territories seized and occupied by Russia.

These votes have not been recognized by the international community.

Are Russian authorities at all taken aback by the shift in America's Russia policy?

"[In America] there are two parties competing against each other," says Nikolai Patrushev, the former head of Russia's FSB domestic security service.

Now serving as an aide to President Putin, Patrushev is one of Russia's most influential figures.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Arctic Forum, he explains: "When the Democrats were in power, they had one perspective. The Republicans have another."

"It doesn’t mean they agree with Russia's position. It simply means they have their own, which they advocate, and we can work with them."

When I ask Patrushev if he senses a new world order taking shape, he replies: "We used to have a system dominated by two powers. Then it was just one. Now we're moving towards a multipolar world, but with its own unique characteristics."