posted 28th March 2025
JD Vance Warns of 'Very Strong Evidence' China and Russia Eye Greenland
JD Vance Warns of 'Very Strong Evidence' China and Russia Eye Greenland
Pituffik, Greenland – 28 March 2025
US Vice President JD Vance has issued a stark warning about foreign interest in Greenland, claiming there is "very strong evidence" that China and Russia are seeking to gain influence over the strategically important island and its resources. The comments came during a visit to Pituffik Space Base, a key US military installation in northern Greenland, alongside Second Lady Usha Vance on Friday.
Speaking to reporters amid the snow-covered landscape of Pituffik, Vance took aim at Denmark, Greenland’s colonial power, accusing Copenhagen of "underinvestment" in the region. He argued that this has left the island vulnerable to the ambitions of global powers. "Greenland’s strategic value cannot be overstated," Vance said. "Its position in the Arctic and its wealth of resources make it a target. We have very strong evidence that both Russia and China want a foothold here, and we cannot afford to let that happen unchecked."
The Vice President’s visit underscores growing American concern over Arctic geopolitics, with Greenland’s vast mineral deposits and its proximity to critical shipping routes drawing increasing international attention. The US has maintained a military presence at Pituffik—formerly known as Thule Air Base—since the Cold War, viewing it as a linchpin in North Atlantic defence.
Vance’s remarks come against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the region. Russia has expanded its Arctic military capabilities in recent years, while China has pursued economic investments in Greenland, including mining projects, as part of its broader polar strategy. Denmark, which governs Greenland’s foreign and defence affairs despite the island’s semi-autonomous status, has faced calls to bolster its oversight.
The Vice President’s criticism of Danish policy is likely to stir debate in Copenhagen, where officials have long balanced Greenland’s push for greater independence with the need to maintain security ties with the US. Neither the Chinese nor Russian embassies in Washington have yet responded to Vance’s claims.
Accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance, the Vice President toured the base’s facilities, meeting with US service members stationed in the remote outpost. The visit, captured by photographer Jim Watson for Getty Images, highlights Washington’s renewed focus on securing its interests in the Arctic Circle.
As global competition intensifies, Vance’s warning serves as a reminder of Greenland’s pivotal role in the shifting dynamics of power and resources in the far north.
