Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday the United States' initiative to annex Greenland should not be considered "extravagant," adding that the US already attempted to obtain the Arctic territory in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
Putin spoke at the International Arctic Forum in Murmansk, stressing the importance of the Arctic region for his country and warning of an increasing geopolitical competition to claim a "foothold" in the area. According to Putin, the US will continue its efforts to expand its military-political and economic interests in the Arctic.
Lastly, the Russian leader expressed concern about NATO member countries seeking to increase their presence in the region.
