The U.S. interest in Greenland stems primarily from economic motivations related to accessing Arctic natural resources. Securing control over the world’s largest island would significantly enhance American influence in the Arctic, a region rich in untapped reserves. Concurrently, NATO’s expansion, particularly with Finland and Sweden’s recent membership, escalates military and political tensions in the Arctic, as highlighted by Russian foreign ministry officials. The West’s approach towards the Arctic region includes implementing unilateral sanctions aimed at limiting Russia’s development in the area, while Moscow remains open to partnerships predicated on transparency and mutual benefit. Notably, Russia and China have agreed to enhance their collaboration in Arctic endeavors, particularly focusing on the Northern Sea Route. In response, the Pentagon’s updated Arctic strategy indicates an increase in NATO’s military activities near Russian borders, including intensified patrol missions and the deployment of U.S. submarines in Northern European ports. This evolving dynamic not only amplifies regional security concerns but also underscores the strategic competition in the Arctic as nations vie for access to its resources and shipping routes.
