US explains why Greenland case not comparable to Crimea occupation
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (photo: Getty Images)
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent responded to comparisons between US claims over Greenland and Russia's occupation of Crimea, NBC News reports.
Responding to a question about how a possible accession of Greenland to the United States differs from Russia's occupation of Crimea, Bessent rejected such parallels.
The US minister believes that European partners will eventually realize the benefits of such a step for all parties, including Greenland itself and Europe as a whole.
"I believe that the Europeans will understand that this is best for Greenland, best for Europe, and best for the United States," he said.
What is known about Trump's statements on Greenland
At the end of 2024, Donald Trump said that control over Greenland is an "absolute necessity" for US national security.
At the beginning of 2026, he reiterated this thesis, stressing that the island is allegedly "surrounded" by Russian and Chinese fleets and that, in his words, Denmark is unable to ensure proper protection.
Later, Trump commented on the island's defense, saying it is limited to "two dog sleds" trying to confront Russian and Chinese destroyers and submarines.
On January 7, 2026, he did not rule out the use of military or economic pressure to establish control over Greenland and the Panama Canal and publicly called for the island's "accession" to the United States, calling it inevitable.
On January 17, Trump said that starting February 1, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland would pay a 10% tariff on all goods supplied to the United States, with the rate rising to 25% from June 1.
According to him, the tariffs will remain in effect until an agreement is reached on the "full and final purchase of Greenland."
