In Sweden: Greenland is suddenly the epicenter of the superpower struggle for the Arctic

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In Sweden: Greenland is suddenly the epicenter of the superpower struggle for the Arctic

The geopolitical environment around the Arctic is changing so rapidly that the United States is unable to respond to these changes. Greenland has suddenly become the epicenter of the struggle between superpowers for influence in the Arctic region.

Writes about this Swedish edition Svenska Dagbladet.



Today, for Russia, strengthening its influence in the Arctic region has become one of the priority tasks. China, although its territory does not have access to the Arctic Ocean, is also actively interested in the northern direction and is trying to gain a foothold in the Arctic.

When Donald Trump announced his desire to buy Greenland, it became a serious claim for leadership in the confrontation with Russia and China in the region adjacent to the North Pole. At first glance, the American leader's statement may seem like another extravagant trick, but it's not so simple.

Of course, the times of US purchases of huge territories are long gone. In addition, the Americans have had military bases on this huge Arctic island belonging to Denmark since the 40s. It would seem, why spend money to buy a huge piece of ice at the end of the world?

But Greenland is not just a piece of ice and the world's largest island, with just over 50 inhabitants. Significant deposits of ores of various metals, including rare earth ones, have been discovered here. This raw material is essential for high-tech industries and the defense industry. And since there is a process of global warming and a decrease in the area of ​​glaciers, these deposits have become more accessible.

About 70 percent of the world's production of rare earth metals is concentrated in China. Therefore, it is not surprising that Beijing is looking closely at Greenland. In addition, the PRC is hatching the idea of ​​implementing the Polar Silk Road project, an Arctic transport corridor created under the auspices of Beijing and linking East and West.

And when Denmark announced the sale of the former naval base and three airfields in Greenland, China immediately offered to buy them. Due to US pressure on Copenhagen, the deal was canceled.

Then Donald Trump offered to buy out Greenland as a whole, which left the Danes in confusion. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the American president's idea "absurd." And Greenland's foreign ministry, referring to its abundant mineral and fish stocks, jokingly said on Twitter that the island was "open to deals but not up for sale."

Donald Trump, having tremendous experience in concluding major deals, apparently did not expect his plan to fail, so he took offense at the intransigence of the Danes and Greenlanders. But at the same time, America continues to increase its influence on Greenland. For example, this year the United States provided material assistance to the Greenlandic economy in the amount of $ 12 billion.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Copenhagen Vladimir Barbin highly negatively assessed this step by Washington, saying that the United States in this way "threaten peace in the Arctic", trying to achieve dominance in the region.
  • https://www.whitehouse.gov/
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40 comments
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  1. +2
    31 July 2020 11: 20
    From Russia there should be a symmetrical offer to the Cubans regarding the purchase of Cuba.
    1. +9
      31 July 2020 11: 36
      And launch Rotenbergs with Abramovich to Cuba. Here the Cubans will be happy.
      1. +1
        31 July 2020 12: 11
        Quote: Pereira
        And launch Rotenbergs with Abramovich to Cuba. Here the Cubans will be happy.

        What kind of hellish demons are these, whose advent is anywhere worse than the apocalypse?
        1. +3
          31 July 2020 12: 14
          Come to us in Russia, people ask around. They will tell you. And they will tell you about Chubais.
          1. +6
            31 July 2020 12: 21
            Quote: Pereira
            ask people around.

            I'm asking you for now. Will you answer? And it is desirable to be reasoned, and not "everyone knows", that is, "high-likes".
            I do not want to whitewash anyone, or somehow justify. But it is funny for me to watch over and over again how all sorts of low-standard gossip from the category of "this is a prostitute, and this one is a drug addict" are being circulated.
            And it's frankly sad when such gossip is dealt with by adults, and sometimes even very adult men, many of whom are still Soviet officers. It has always been customary for them to back up words with facts, and not go down to the level of attendants at the entrance.
            1. -1
              31 July 2020 13: 23
              If you ask me for excerpts from the criminal case, then of course I cannot provide them.
              For obvious reasons, I also cannot provide operational data on the development of members of the Ozero cooperative by the special services.
              I will ask you this: what would be a weighty argument for you in favor of the assertion that if Chubais and his fellow oligarchs were allowed into Cuba, then there would be a complete and unconditional rise from his knees?
              1. +5
                31 July 2020 14: 23
                Quote: Pereira
                I will ask you this: what would be a weighty argument for you in favor of the assertion that if Chubais and his fellow oligarchs were allowed into Cuba, then there would be a complete and unconditional rise from his knees?

                My question was not about that at all.
                It doesn't matter what you, or me, or whoever was - and whatever was - are sure.
                What matters is what we can prove.
                And as long as we cannot do this, we have no choice but to keep quiet, no matter how strong the righteous indignation burst upon us.
                Otherwise, we turn into the same windbags, like driveways.
                1. -6
                  31 July 2020 15: 02
                  Such a silent electorate is the dream of any government.
                  Is there a press certificate that Chubais's reforms ruined the industry? Not?
                  Is there a certificate from the morgue that the cause of death is healthcare reform? Not?
                  Walk grandma driveway. So what?
                  No, my dear, you won't wait.
                  You are silent, and do not persuade the others.
                  The people can see who Hu is even without a piece of paper. And he remembers everything.
                  And there is evidence. They just lie hidden until the command is given - you can. That's where it just comes from.
                  The time will come and they will dump Chubais. And on your favorite oligarchs, as on Boryusik Berezovsky or Khodorkovsky, or Arashukov from fresh. Give only a time limit.
                  1. +6
                    31 July 2020 15: 15
                    I understand your indignation.
                    But the prosecutor determines the degree of guilt, and the court determines the degree of punishment.
                    To whom do you propose to delegate their powers? Some folk veche? Like what in Kiev brought Berkut fighters to their knees?
                    Why do you think that this veche will be driven solely by the thirst for justice, and not the thirst for blood?
                    And then, no matter how you treat some personalities, insulting them on the anonymous Internet will not do you honor.
                    Remain noble and discreet.
                    And time, as you rightly noted, will judge everyone anyway.
                    1. -7
                      31 July 2020 15: 31
                      But the prosecutor determines the degree of guilt, and the court determines the degree of punishment.

                      Do you really believe all this?
                      Do you really believe in Ukrainian veche? In a popular uprising against the bloody Yanukovych?
                      With regard to liberals, grant eaters and thieves, I will never be noble and restrained, no matter how they persuade me. And you do not persuade me. Like life today - live and enjoy, vote,
                      what will be ordered.
                      And also get rid of illusions about the anonymous Internet.
                      And you have one more logical error. A thirst for justice presupposes a thirst for full retribution, not just public censure.
                      However, retaliation can be bloodless. With the help of a garrote, for example.
              2. -1
                31 July 2020 18: 17
                what if Chubais and his comrades - oligarchs were allowed to enter Cuba,

                Instead of an island, there will be one big "Usoliekhimprom", about which our President has been talking about the terrible ecological heritage for two days.

                The only pity is that he forgot to mention the last owners who brought the enterprise to such a state and went bankrupt, finished off.
                Guess three times who they are. laughing
            2. -1
              1 August 2020 00: 55
              These are red-footed infantiles. Brains like a cockroach
    2. 0
      31 July 2020 12: 04
      What does Cuba (or rather Russia) have to do with it? Russia has no time for Cuba: it would buy its assets.
    3. +1
      31 July 2020 14: 33
      Invalid comparison. It would be if the Danes were offered to sell Denmark. Greenland is an autonomous part of Denmark remote from the metropolis, which has a very large independence.
    4. 0
      1 August 2020 00: 19
      In politics, as in life, there are no unambiguous essences, for any both potentials are equivalent according to the law of conservation of energy, you need to look where this essence is backwards and where in front, change its polarity in your favor, if this does not suit, then to the detriment of enemies.
  2. 0
    31 July 2020 11: 24
    I would sell Mercury to Trump. We don't need it anyway.
    1. +5
      31 July 2020 11: 32
      This is not needed today. Although ... You will need Mercury only the day after tomorrow, and you can spend money on drink today.
      It is worth considering.
      1. -2
        31 July 2020 21: 39
        Quote: Pereira
        This is not needed today. Although ... You will need Mercury only the day after tomorrow, and you can spend money on drink today.
        It is worth considering.


        I didn't answer right away. Freeloaders on the tail could fall. Now you can.
        PS I'm not Panikovsky ... Sell-buy-sell, but already more expensive. We leave in half.
  3. +4
    31 July 2020 11: 40
    If mattresses are aimed at that, then they will get Greenland. The methods have been worked out. First, local separatists will be encouraged. Denmark is unlikely to be able to suppress them if the states are behind them. Reduce its cost for Denmark. And they will either help Greenland become independent, or make it such a burden for Denmark that they will be happy to get rid of it. Donnie spends a trillion won to stimulate the economy. Nobody already thinks what will happen next. Nothing prevents him from borrowing another 100 billion dollars and forcing the Danes to sell the island. And Donnie will forever enter the history books of the states, as a very robust person who has grown her territory. Moreover, Greenland is an excellent intermediate base on the way to Europe. Plus - the gateway to the Arctic and access to its solid piece. Yes, and there are probably minerals on the island, if you still look. And all this in exchange for cut paper, or rather, even for numbers in the computer. fellow
    1. +2
      31 July 2020 11: 55
      Yes, the Greenlandic Eskimos live well without the United States. For 50000 of their population, they have a lot of fish around them, and moreover, they are expensive.
    2. 0
      31 July 2020 12: 10
      First, local separatists will be encouraged.

      Where to find so many separatists with a population of 50000 people ... unless there are penguins in large numbers and arrange a penguin maidan.
      1. +1
        31 July 2020 13: 03
        Take a couple of hundred local separatists, bring a thousand more protesters from the USA or Europe to their aid. I don't think Denmark will have the strength and determination to deal with them. Especially if the states will impose sanctions against them under this case.
        1. 0
          31 July 2020 14: 06
          Quote: g1v2
          Take a couple of hundred local separatists, bring a thousand more protesters from the USA or Europe to their aid. I don't think Denmark will have the strength and determination to deal with them. Especially if the states will impose sanctions against them under this case.

          I would also add Greta Thunberg))
        2. +2
          31 July 2020 14: 37
          Greenland already has an independence that surpasses the independence of the federal states of the Federal Republic of Germany and Austria or the autonomous regions of Italy and Spain. And this is with a population of 50 thousand. Some of the Eskimos are determined to be completely independent, and not to move from one country to another.
          1. +1
            31 July 2020 16: 41
            Who cares about what the Eskimos want? They will explain what they really want, throwing a cutlet of bucks to fight for the freedom of the Eskimo people. Well this is a well-tested scheme - support for Cuban and Filipino separatists from Spain. Then the war between the United States and Spain. And then the treaty with the United States and Cuba becomes dependent on the states. and the Philippines becomes state governments. In the end, they could not keep them, but I think that the Greenlanders will not be able to free themselves from the states, and they will not want to. Especially if another 50 thousand people are brought there from the mainland.
  4. +2
    31 July 2020 11: 41
    When the interests of the United States are at stake, no allied obligations, laws and regulations apply! Here in the EU they were surprised
    1. 0
      31 July 2020 12: 07
      Quote: APASUS
      Here in the EU they were surprised

      I don't think the EU doesn't know the rules of the game. The EU is a big competitor. The United States will tear them apart, and start with Greenland.
      1. 0
        31 July 2020 12: 26
        Quote: iouris
        I don't think the EU doesn't know the rules of the game.

        What are the rules for selling Greenland? What are you about
        1. 0
          31 July 2020 12: 49
          When you read something, try to delve into it.
      2. +1
        31 July 2020 14: 45
        Greenland, although part of Denmark, like the Faroe Islands, is not part of the EU. Such is the legal paradox. At the same time, residents of Greenland have the rights of EU residents.
  5. -11
    31 July 2020 12: 08
    The Arctic is a dead end, it is unprofitable and unnecessary.

    How many private companies do business in the Arctic?
    1. 0
      31 July 2020 12: 15
      Quote: Courier
      The Arctic is a dead end, it is unprofitable and unnecessary.

      You think so, but others do not think, but know what kind of wealth there is.
      1. +1
        31 July 2020 20: 51
        Vlad, Let's remember the novel "Upside down" by Jules Verne - a summary: the end of the 19th century, American bourgeois bully decided to extract "hydrocarbons" (coal) in the Arctic. To clear the Arctic of ice - they came up with the idea to rotate the axis of the Earth (using a cannon) fool ... According to the plans of the American bourgeoisie bully the axis of the Earth is shifting - the Arctic is at more southern latitudes - the ice is melting ... The fact that other countries will be "God knows where" and what will happen to them does not bother the American bourgeoisie. USA am for the sake of profit, they are ready to turn the Earth upside down, and to squeeze the "island" from Denmark ... Denmark itself belay will make the state of the united states Yes .
    2. +5
      31 July 2020 12: 16
      Quote: Courier
      The Arctic is a dead end, it is unprofitable and unnecessary.

      That is why it is still in couriers. Yes laughing
  6. mvg
    0
    31 July 2020 12: 10
    The United States provided material assistance to the Greenlandic economy in the amount of $ 12 billion

    For 50 thousand people? As far as I know, there is a frozen base there, mothballed. And the base of the nuclear submarine. Something too much.
  7. +1
    31 July 2020 12: 14
    IMHO, suck the news out of your finger ...
  8. 5-9
    +3
    31 July 2020 13: 23
    Helping Greenland with a 50K population of 12 Lard bucks? Maybe lyamov?
    But all the same, somewhere out of resentment, Europa's little hijacker cried with a saucepan on his skull in crumpled trousers ...
    Denmark is a preserve and home to the real European aristocracy and old money ..
  9. +13
    31 July 2020 13: 45
    Everyone wants to be the "Center of the Earth". The territory of Denmark has suddenly become a "stumbling block".
  10. 0
    31 July 2020 14: 11
    And there is news on the Greek-Turkish-American exercises in Mediterranean
  11. 0
    31 July 2020 15: 55
    Quote: Pereira
    This is not needed today. Although ... You will need Mercury only the day after tomorrow, and you can spend money on drink today.
    It is worth considering.

    Apparently, they reasoned about the same when Alaska was sold wassat

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