As tensions simmered between the United States and Europe over President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, Russian officials, state-backed media and pro-Kremlin bloggers watched with a mixture of glee,

Putin has long sought to undermine the western alliance that he sees as a threat.

Deploying parts of President Trump’s Golden Dome missile shield in Greenland would make Americans safer as the massive Arctic island is “critical” for the US to be able to stop an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launched by Russia or China,

Negotiators have discussed proposals to check Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic and transfer sovereignty over pockets of Greenlandic land to the United States, an idea opposed by Denmark.

It’s been a long-standing Kremlin strategy to drive a permanent wedge between the United States and Europe, dividing and weakening its traditional adversaries in the West.

CNN reports that Russia is expanding its influence in the Arctic amid Donald Trump’s plans regarding Greenland.

With Greenland in the rearview mirror for now, Ukraine and its allies hope for progress and renewed focus on Kyiv.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Greenland was not "a natural part" of Denmark and that the problem of former colonial territories was becoming more acute. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he wants full U.