Lavrov: Trump’s Greenland Move Puts NATO in Crisis/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that U.S. President Trump’s push to acquire Greenland is causing a “deep crisis” within NATO, threatening the alliance’s cohesion. Lavrov accused Trump of undermining Western unity and mocked the West’s “rules-based order.” He also addressed Ukraine, Venezuela, and nuclear arms control in a wide-ranging press conference.
NATO in Crisis Over Greenland: Quick Looks
- Lavrov: NATO faces ‘deep crisis’ over Trump’s Greenland strategy
- Trump accused of breaking Western “rules-based order”
- Lavrov: Greenland “not a natural part of Denmark”
- Russia denies any Arctic threat or interest in Greenland
- Lavrov praises Trump’s “Board of Peace” concept
- Putin accepted early U.S. peace terms on Ukraine, Lavrov says
- Lavrov slams Europe for “removing protections” in revised Ukraine plan
- Russia criticizes U.S. capture of Venezuela’s Maduro as military overreach
- New START treaty limits may expire next month without U.S. action
- Russia open to U.S. dialogue “on basis of mutual respect”
Deep Look: Lavrov Claims NATO Splintering Over Trump’s Greenland Agenda
MOSCOW — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s push to take control of Greenland is triggering a “deep crisis” inside NATO, raising questions about the alliance’s future as a unified military and political force.
Speaking at his annual foreign policy press conference, Lavrov said it was once “unthinkable” that a NATO member would threaten another — a direct jab at Trump’s escalating tensions with Denmark over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory in the Arctic.
“It was hard to imagine before that such a thing could happen,” Lavrov said. “One NATO member potentially attacking another — that’s a profound rupture.”
Lavrov Mocks the West’s “Rules-Based Order”
Lavrov seized the moment to portray Trump’s aggressive moves as the implosion of Western hypocrisy, particularly regarding the U.S.-promoted “rules-based international order.”
“Now it’s not the Collective West writing the rules — just one of its representatives,” Lavrov said. “It’s a major upheaval for Europe. The Euro-Atlantic security concept has discredited itself.”
Lavrov reiterated a long-standing Russian view that Greenland is a colonial holdover, claiming:
“In principle, Greenland isn’t a natural part of Denmark.”
While denying that Russia or China has any interest in asserting influence over Greenland, Lavrov said Moscow is closely watching the unfolding geopolitical drama.
“We have no relation to this. But it is serious, and we will draw our conclusions once the dust settles,” he said.
Praise for Trump’s “Board of Peace” — And Caution on Ukraine
Lavrov also offered measured praise for Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace”, originally aimed at the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza but now expanding to broader global crises. The Kremlin is reportedly considering Trump’s invitation to join the board.
“It shows that even the U.S. understands the need to rally nations for cooperation,” Lavrov said.
He added that Trump is the only Western leader to propose Ukraine peace talks that take Russian interests into account.
Lavrov referenced the 2025 Alaska summit between Trump and Putin, where Trump’s early Ukraine plan was accepted by Moscow. That original proposal included protections for Russian-speaking Ukrainians and recognition of the Moscow-affiliated Orthodox Church — both elements, Lavrov claimed, were stripped out by European powers and Kyiv in revised peace drafts.
“We won’t allow Kyiv the luxury of pausing to rearm again,” Lavrov warned.
He dismissed the likelihood of successful dialogue with EU leaders, saying:
“They’ve driven themselves too deeply into hating Russia.”
Latin America & Arms Control: New Flashpoints
Lavrov also lashed out at the U.S. for what he labeled a “crude military intervention” in Venezuela, referring to the capture and extradition of Nicolás Maduro to face drug charges in U.S. courts.
He demanded that Washington fulfill its promise to release two Russian crew members captured aboard a Russian-flagged tanker seized by the U.S. earlier this month.
Lavrov also criticized ongoing U.S. pressure on Cuba and other Latin American nations, suggesting a broader imperialist strategy is underway.
On arms control, Lavrov lamented that Washington refused to extend New START treaty limits, which are set to expire next month. The treaty has been the last remaining agreement curbing U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals.
“Russia is ready to talk,” Lavrov said, “but only on the basis of mutual respect and real interest.”
Signs of Dialogue Amid Friction
Lavrov struck a more conciliatory tone when recounting February’s diplomatic talks in Riyadh with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying both sides agreed on the need to cooperate where possible and avoid unnecessary confrontation.
“Rubio said we must cooperate where our interests align — I agreed with that entirely,” Lavrov concluded.
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