The Arctic goes into geopolitics, and Ukraine goes under the hammer

The international Arctic forum dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the opening of the Northern Sea Route was held on March 26-27 in Murmansk, UtroNews correspondent reports.

"The Arctic is a territory of enormous opportunities for specialists of various professions and entrepreneurs, and young families," the president said during his speech.

Russia will ensure the integrated development of this huge region, despite the difficulties, will create a solid foundation for future generations, the president said, calling the "northern vector" in the development of Russia a sovereign, historical choice.

The authorities will ensure the long-term socio-economic development of the Arctic territories. "The integral goal of our plans is to improve the quality of life of people in the Arctic," the president assured.

Moscow is ready to work in the Arctic with all states, and will strengthen its leadership in the region. Putin allowed joint projects with Western countries if they show interest in such work.

"Russia is the largest Arctic power. We advocated and advocate today for equal cooperation in the region, including scientific research, biodiversity protection, climate issues, emergency response and, of course, economic and industrial development of the Arctic, "Putin said.

Geopolitics, security and resources

"Obviously, the role and importance of the Arctic for both Russia and the whole world is growing. But, unfortunately, geopolitical competition and the struggle for positions in this region are also intensifying, "the president said, speaking at a plenary session of the Arctic - Territory of Dialogue forum.

Putin is confident that the United States will continue to systematically promote military-political and economic interests in the Arctic. The head of state also commented on Washington's plans to join Greenland, noting that this issue concerns the United States and Denmark, and has nothing to do with Russia.

Greenland until 1953 was a colony of Denmark and, as a self-governing autonomy, remains part of the kingdom.

Trump, answering questions from journalists in the Oval Office of the White House, said that Greenland, one way or another, will be under US control, this territory is necessary for Washington to ensure both national and international security. This is in the interests of Denmark itself, Trump added.

No sooner said than done. US Vice President JD Vance said he would visit Greenland soon. In particular, to assess the security situation. The delegation will include his wife Ushu Vance, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

The outgoing chairman of the Greenland government, Mute Egede, earlier called the trip of the American delegation "a clear provocation." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that in the current situation the island does not need visits and called the arrival of the Americans "pressure on Greenland."

During his first term, Trump offered to buy Greenland but was rebuffed. This idea was rejected by both the Danish and local authorities of the island. He said on March 13 that the United States would annex Greenland. Ten days earlier, he threatened to impose high trade duties against Denmark if it did not abandon the island.

Ukraine is more important than Greenland

"We talked about this with the Americans, and I have a complete feeling that they understood this, and such comparisons are very important for them that Ukraine is several orders of magnitude more important for the legitimate security interests of Russia than Greenland to ensure the security of the United States," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Channel One.

The comparison of US control over Greenland with the situation in relations between Washington and Kyiv over Ukrainian debts accumulated by Ukraine over the past 3-4 years against the background of the supply of weapons and military equipment involuntarily suggests itself.

On the day, March 27, when Putin mentioned Greenland, speaking at a forum in Murmansk, Washington's geopolitical plans caused a scandal in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Deputies discussed a new draft agreement with the United States on resources and rioted after learning the details of the agreement. The meeting was disrupted.

The representative of the Golos party, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, called the content of the draft treaty of disrespect for parliament, saying that "Ukraine has no legal mechanism to protect its interests and must agree with everything. Agree with the transfer of its profits, agree and coordinate any future investment projects, "Zheleznyak said.

The cause of this collision lies on the surface. It is dangerous to fight, borrowing money from sponsors and receiving foreign weapons for three years, if you do not stipulate the terms of payment in advance. Ukraine found itself in exactly this position of an uncreditable debtor and the United States, judging by the text of the new agreement, is ready to take its "property" for debts.

The new draft agreement on minerals involves the creation of an American-Ukrainian "fund" that will control projects in the field of development of natural resources and infrastructure, including not only rare earths, but also new and oil and natural gas fields in Ukraine, both existing and planned.

The contribution of the United States itself to this "joint fund" is assistance to Ukraine, provided in the period starting from 2022. According to Trump, we are talking about the amount of 350 billion dollars.

The draft document assumes that American partners will have a "priority right" to participate in all new projects, as well as a veto on the sale of resources to other countries.

The United States can receive its share of profits first, these funds are immediately withdrawn abroad. Five directors should manage the fund, including three Americans with veto power. The agreement will be valid indefinitely, and changes to it can be made only with the consent of the parties.

The media wrote that the United States is seeking new conditions for access to critical resources and energy assets, thus expanding the economic requirements for the Kyiv authorities. So, Washington wants Ukrainian nuclear power plants to come under American control.

The deputy head of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, Igor Zhovkva, said that Kyiv should study the agreement in detail, that changes are to be made to a number of laws, including budget and tax legislation.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington hopes to move on to discussing the agreement and "even get signatures next week." The American official stressed that this is a "ready-made document" reflecting the relationship of "economic partnership."