MURMANSK. March 27 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the United States plans to take over Greenland as serious and said it would be a mistake to deem them extravagant.
"Everyone is well aware of the U.S. plans to take over Greenland. You know, it is only at first glance that it might surprise someone. And it is deeply mistaken to believe that these are some extravagant talks by the new American administration. Nothing of the sort," Putin said in a speech at the International Arctic Forum on Thursday.
The matter is "about serious plans the American side has for Greenland," he said. "These plans have long-standing historical roots and it is obvious that the U.S. will seek to advance its geopolitical, military-political and economic interests in the Arctic on a systematic basis. As for Greenland, this is an issue that concerns two specific countries and has nothing to do with us," Putin said.