Russia warns of response to any US weapons deployment in Greenland

Source: USA Today

Feb. 4, 2026 Updated Feb. 5, 2026, 8:36 a.m. ET


A senior Russian official said Moscow is ready to respond with military measures if the United States follows through on its plan to deploy its Golden Dome missile defense program to Greenland.

Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, made the comments on Feb. 3 during a visit to China, according to Russian state news agencies. His comments came ahead of the expiration on Feb. 5 of the last remaining bilateral nuclear arms control pact between Washington and Moscow, known as the New START treaty.

"This is a new moment, a new reality − we are ready for it," Ryabkov said in Beijing. He didn't elaborate on what type of military response Russia might be considering to the U.S.'s missile defense plan for the Arctic island − an autonomous Danish territory − as New START expires, though he appeared to rule out an arms race. "I assure you, this is not going to happen," he said.

Russia's foreign ministry did not respond to a request for clarification on the matter. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Feb. 5 that Russia would continue taking a responsible approach to strategic nuclear stability, despite the expiry of the last nuclear arms control treaty between Moscow and Washington.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/02/04/russia-greenland-trump-missile-defense/88505207007/