Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said there is no evidence that Russia or China are planning to annex Greenland, which he claims is not a natural part of Denmark's territory.
"When what is happening around Greenland is justified by the story that otherwise Russia or China will seize it - there is no evidence to support this," Lavrov said at a press conference summarizing Russia's diplomatic activities in the past year, RIA Novosti reported.
He said that Russia will continue dialogue with its partners "on the principles of equality, mutual respect and seeking a balance of interests," while the West, he stated, can conduct talks "according to its own rules," if it considers it its right.
Comparing the strategic importance of the territories, Lavrov said that Crimea is no less important to Russia's security than Greenland is to the United States of America (USA).
He assessed that Greenland is not a natural part of Denmark, but rather a "colonial conquest", reports Tanjug.
"In principle, Greenland is not a natural part of Denmark, right? It was a colonial conquest. Whether the inhabitants there have now gotten used to it and are comfortable with it is another matter," Lavrov said.
Greenland is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that he believes the island should become part of the US.
Bonus video:
