Northern European diplomats dismiss Trump’s claims about Russian and Chinese ships near Greenland

Northern European diplomats have rejected claims by U.S. President Donald Trump about the presence of Russian and Chinese vessels in waters near Greenland, the Financial Times reports, citing its sources.

According to two senior diplomats with access to NATO intelligence, no Russian or Chinese ships or submarines have been detected near Greenland in recent years. “The claims that the Chinese and Russians are there are simply not true,” one of the sources said.

“The idea that waters around Greenland are full of Russian and Chinese ships or submarines is simply incorrect. They are present in the Arctic, yes—but not on the Russian side,” another FT source added.

Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has also dismissed reports of significant Russian or Chinese activity around Greenland, calling them inaccurate. “There is activity in our region. But around Greenland—very little,” he said.

Trump has repeatedly cited alleged threats from Russia and China while arguing that Greenland must be seized.

“There are Russian and Chinese ships around Greenland right now. We need Greenland for national security,” Trump said. Days later, he added that if the United States does not act, Russia or China would take control of Greenland.