Bill to annex Greenland and grant statehood introduced to US House

A bill proposing the annexation of Greenland and its designation as a US state has been introduced to the House of Representatives, citing the protection of “national security interests.” The legislation, drafted by Republican lawmakers, asserts that control of the island must not be lost to China or Russia.

Republican Congressman Randy Fine formally submitted the “Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act” to the US House of Representatives.

The bill, published on the House’s official website and described in the text as a “turning point,” aims to fortify America’s national security interests in the Arctic region.

The justification for the bill highlights the objective of countering threats from Beijing and Moscow, emphasizing that in an environment of global competition, the US cannot allow “adversarial powers” to increase their influence in this strategically vital region.

“We cannot leave it to regimes that despise our values”

In statements regarding the move, Fine described Greenland as a “vital national security asset that cannot be ignored.”

Highlighting the region’s strategic importance, the Congressman stated, “Whoever controls Greenland also controls the critical Arctic sea lanes and the security architecture protecting the US. America cannot leave this future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security.”

Trump: We must take it before Russia or China occupies it

On January 9, US President Donald Trump argued that Washington must act before Russia or China to establish control over Greenland.

“If we don’t take it, Russia or China will occupy Greenland, and we don’t want them as our neighbors,” Trump said.

Following this statement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted on January 12 that Trump is considering purchasing the island as one of the options on the table.

Financial Times: No Russian or Chinese threat detected in the region

Washington’s hardening rhetoric has met with backlash from diplomatic representatives of Nordic countries.

According to two senior officials familiar with NATO intelligence data who spoke to the Financial Times, no traces of Russian or Chinese ships or submarines have been detected near Greenland in recent years.

Sources told the newspaper they view Washington-sourced claims regarding increased military activity by Moscow and Beijing in the region with skepticism.

Europe prepares for NATO move

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has begun discussing the possibility of deploying a NATO unit to Greenland alongside European allies.

As reported by The Telegraph, European nations calculate that increasing their military presence in the Arctic might dissuade Trump from the idea of annexing the island.

However, The Mail on Sunday suggested that Trump’s intentions may go beyond diplomatic pressure.

According to the newspaper’s sources, Trump ordered the US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to prepare a potential invasion plan for Greenland.

The report noted that this initiative faced resistance from high-ranking military officials, who reportedly believe such an operation would be illegal and would fail to garner support from Congress.