Listen to Donald Trump and you would think Moscow and Beijing were lying in wait off the coast of Greenland, ready to pounce to boost their power in the Arctic.
There are Russian destroyers, there are Chinese destroyers and, bigger, there are Russian submarines all over the place, President Trump said recently.
That is why, according to America's president, US control of Greenland is essential.
So how do you think Moscow has reacted to its alleged plot being uncovered and potentially thwarted by a US takeover of Greenland?
The Russians can't be pleased. Right?
Wrong.
In an astonishing article, the Russian government paper is full of praise for Trump and critical of European leaders who oppose a US annexation of Greenland.
Standing in the way of the US president's historic breakthrough is the stubbornness of Copenhagen and the mock solidarity of intransigent European countries, including so-called friends of America, Britain and France, writes Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
Europe does not need the American greatness that Trump is promoting. Brussels is counting on 'drowning' the US president in the midterm congressional elections, on preventing him from concluding the greatest deal of his life.
In another remarkable statement, Rossiyskaya Gazeta emphasized the benefits for the United States should Trump proceed with the acquisition, associating it with historical significance comparable to major events in U.S. history.
But why the praise from Moscow? Why the apparent encouragement?
It's because Russia has much to gain from the current situation.
Trump's fixation with Greenland, his determination to take over the island, and impose tariffs on European countries that oppose his plan have put a huge strain on the transatlantic alliance: both on America's relations with Europe, and within NATO.
Anything that weakens – or threatens to split – the Western alliance is viewed by Moscow as a huge positive for Russia.
Europe is at a total loss and, to be honest, it's a pleasure to watch this, gloated the Russian tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets in one of its articles about Greenland.
American threats to annex Greenland are being used by pro-Kremlin commentators to attempt to justify Russia's war on Ukraine, further complicating international relations.
