Russia Accused of Forging Letter to Spark Trump's Greenland Interest
Copenhagen, Wednesday, 15 January 2025.
Danish intelligence claims Russia used a forged letter to provoke Trump’s interest in buying Greenland, aiming to disrupt NATO’s Arctic strategy.
The Forged Letter Plot
Danish intelligence agency PET has revealed that Russian operatives orchestrated a sophisticated disinformation campaign in 2019, centered around a forged diplomatic letter addressed to US Senator Tom Cotton [1]. The letter, which falsely suggested plans for a Greenland independence referendum and thanked the senator for ‘financial assistance,’ appears to have influenced both Senator Cotton’s subsequent proposal to acquire Greenland and Trump’s persistent interest in the territory [1]. This revelation comes at a critical time, as Trump has recently escalated his rhetoric, suggesting in December 2024 that the US should take control of Greenland for national security purposes [1].
Strategic Arctic Implications
The timing of this revelation is particularly significant given Greenland’s growing strategic importance in global geopolitics. The territory lies just 1,900 kilometers from Maine [2], making it a crucial location for US defense capabilities. According to Rebecca Pincus, director of the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute, ‘Greenland is growing in importance as we find ourselves in a global competition with China and in a new technological revolution with regards to warfare’ [2]. The US currently maintains the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland for missile defense and space surveillance [2], while Russia’s closest military outpost remains 2,000 kilometers away [4].
Diplomatic Tensions and Responses
The situation has sparked intense diplomatic activity, with Danish leaders sending private messages to Trump’s team in early January 2025 to address his ambitions [3]. Denmark’s approach has shifted from outright dismissal to a more conciliatory stance, with the country now reportedly open to discussing enhanced US military presence in Greenland [3]. However, Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede maintains a firm position that while dialogue is welcome, ‘the island is not for sale,’ emphasizing the local people’s long fight for freedom [1]. The next Greenland elections, scheduled for April 6, 2025, are expected to be dominated by independence discussions [4].
Current Strategic Landscape
The revelation of Russian interference comes amid broader Arctic competition. Denmark currently maintains patrol ships around Greenland and plans to enhance surveillance capabilities [4]. Over half of Greenland’s public budget is funded by Denmark, with 90% of its exports going to the EU [4]. The territory’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals and strategic location make it increasingly valuable in global politics [5]. Denmark’s foreign minister has expressed willingness to work with Greenland to ‘continue talks’ with Trump to ensure legitimate American interests in the Arctic [5], while maintaining sovereignty over the territory.