Espreso. Global
Exclusive

Preparing launching pad: political scientist Reiterovych on Trump's geopolitical statements

Sofia Polonska
11 January, 2025 Saturday
13:58

Ihor Reiterovych, head of political and legal programs at the Ukrainian Center for Social Development NGO, believes that Trump, as a businessman-negotiator, initially places the highest possible bets in order to obtain the desired, advantageous positions

client/title.list_title

He shared this view on Espreso TV.

"By the way, Putin's 'mouthpiece,' Peskov (the press secretary of the Russian leader), has begun claiming: 'Look, they accuse us, but the U.S. wants the same, and now we'll even protect Greenland.' However, there’s a significant difference—firstly, Trump has not yet been inaugurated as president, and that matters. Once he becomes president, the tone of his statements will likely be more restrained. Secondly, Trump enjoys raising the stakes and introducing seemingly absurd ideas because, as a businessman-negotiator, he later lowers these stakes," Reiterovych noted.

According to him, Trump’s goals have already been outlined by his national security advisor, Waltz, who explained in an interview what the newly elected U.S. president seeks to achieve. Waltz stated that the U.S. faces challenges in the northern part of the continent, where Canada is located, necessitating the expansion of American military bases. This is not an issue for Canada within NATO, as the country ranks near the bottom in defense spending and needs to strengthen its security and increase the U.S. presence.

"Greenland is significant for controlling the Arctic and because the shortest course for ballistic missiles passes over the North Pole. Therefore, at the very least, the U.S. presence in Greenland must be expanded. As for Panama, Trump will likely impose economic pressure to introduce certain changes to the Panama Canal's operations, reducing, for example, Chinese interests. Essentially, Trump is preparing his launching pad" the political analyst emphasized.

In his view, parallels between Trump and Putin will only be drawn by Russians who would love to see something similar—an American landing in Greenland, a referendum, and subsequent annexation by the United States. However, none of this will happen.

"There will, of course, be talks about purchase, leasing, or other arrangements, which may develop further but will definitely occur within international law and with the involvement of all relevant parties. There’s no need for significant concern, as Trump and the entire American system will not allow actions that harm the U.S. or disrupt relations with allies. After all, Canada and Denmark are NATO founding members alongside the U.S., making it difficult to create conflicts with them. Trump is currently preparing and aims to secure the most advantageous positions," Reiterovych concluded.

  • During his first term, Trump announced that he was considering the possibility of the U.S. purchasing Greenland and canceled a state visit to Denmark after Danish officials stated that the autonomous territory, which is part of the kingdom, was not for sale.  
  • On December 22, Trump once again declared U.S. intentions to control Greenland: "For the sake of national security and freedom worldwide, the United States of America considers ownership and control of Greenland to be an absolute necessity."  
  • Prime Minister Múte Egede stated that Greenland cannot be purchased. "Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and never will be. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom," he said.  
  • Following this, Denmark's Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced that the country would increase defense spending on the island. Poulsen called the announcement "ironic," as Trump claimed that ownership and control of Greenland were an "absolute necessity" for the U.S.  
  • On January 6, the King of Denmark altered the royal coat of arms, making the symbols of Greenland and the Faroe Islands more prominent, which was seen as a rebuke to Donald Trump's claims over Greenland.

 

 

 

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Monday
20 January
21:30
“Today is day of change”: Zelenskyy congratulates Trump on his inauguration
21:15
Ukraine receives military aid from Latvia, including drones, generators
20:59
Trump does not mention Ukraine in his inaugural address
20:38
Exclusive
Trump won’t betray Ukraine as it means his defeat – Chairman of Ukrainian American House
20:20
Exclusive
'Mixed expectations': Espreso journalist on EU reactions to Trump’s presidency
19:59
Exclusive
Military base for training Russia's new assault forces stretches from Mariupol to Berdiansk
19:38
Exclusive
Trump’s team likely to follow 'Kellogg's plan,' says political analyst
19:15
Ukraine cannot defend itself against missiles like Oreshnik. Why Patriot and even THAAD won't help?
18:51
Exclusive
Defense Express: Strikes in Kazan target key military facilities
18:30
What Trump will focus on in next 3 months – and it’s not about Ukraine
18:04
Putin says Russia open to dialogue with Trump administration
17:55
Exclusive
Lawyer clarifies mobilization rules for those over 50 in Ukraine
17:34
Locomotive supporting military logistics set on fire in St. Petersburg
17:15
OPINION
Trump tests new method of communication with Putin
16:56
Ukraine identifies Russian paratroopers behind Bucha massacre
16:35
Interview
“After constant control in captivity, all we want now is peace”: Azov soldier on returning from Russian captivity
16:15
Lyptsi: How Ukrainian forces turned Russia’s offensive into a “meat grinder”
15:56
Ukraine adapts to Russian drone upgrades with EW countermeasures
15:32
Latvia to ban Russians, Belarusians from critical infrastructure management roles
15:14
China’s crude oil imports from Russia hit record high in 2024
14:57
OPINION
Trump doesn’t ask — he demands. And not from God, but from the rest of the world
14:31
Exclusive
Trump has no plan for Ukraine war resolution, but there are outlines — Ukrainian politician
14:13
Ukraine’s strike on Kazan aircraft plant raises doubts over Russia’s production capabilities
13:52
Ukrainian Ministry of Justice restores all state registries after Russia’s cyberattack
13:31
Exclusive
Iran may backtrack on Moscow-Tehran 'strategic partnership' deal, says expert
13:15
Slovak mental health experts call for PM Fico’s resignation over recent behavior
12:57
Russian artillery shell use halved after strikes on military industry – Ukraine's top general
12:40
Zelenskyy shares footage of captured North Korean Soldier’s interrogation by SBU
12:19
Ukrainian forces regain positions in Kursk and Donetsk regions – DeepState
11:59
Russia launches disinformation campaign to influence German chancellor elections — analysts
11:45
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 8-15
Russian troops advance with heavy equipment: Ukraine reports escalation in Kurakhove sector
11:17
OPINION
Biden trap: cost of delayed decisions in Ukraine’s fight for survival
10:56
189 clashes at Russia-Ukraine frontline: Russian army loses 1,690 troops in one day
10:37
Moldova ready to support Transnistria financially after Russian troop withdrawal – Sandu
10:16
Russia imposes airport restrictions due to UAV threat in Tatarstan, explosions heard in Kazan
09:56
Russia repurposes submarine museum in Crimea for military use — guerrillas
09:35
Russia's army losses in Ukraine surpass 820,000 personnel
2025, Sunday
19 January
20:40
Exclusive
Russia advances in Donetsk, but not as quickly as desired – military observer
20:16
OPINION
Ukraine cannot remain a buffer gray area between democracy and dictatorship
19:47
125 clashes occur at front on Jan. 19: Ukrainian forces repel 11 attacks in Toretsk sector
More news