Putin warns Trump to BACK OFF Greenland as Don refuses to rule out invasion…so could icy island become WW3 flashpoint?

VLADIMIR Putin has desperately hit back at Donald Trump after he refused to rule out using military action to potentially seize Greenland.

The president-elect has faced backlash from his EU allies but terrorist Vlad has also issued a warning Trump’s way.

International tensions have risen after the incoming US leader floated a bizarre plan to take over the autonomous Danish territory.

Trump said that US ownership of Greenland is an “absolute necessity” to protect global “national security and freedom”.

These strong words have ruffled The Kremlin’s feathers as Putin’s men told Trump they were “watching”.

Mad Vlad’s mouthpiece, Dmitry Peskov, attempted to push Russia’s influence over the Arctic region in a desperate warning when asked about the incoming US leader’s remarks.

“The Arctic is a zone of our national interests, our strategic interests,” he said.

“We are watching this rather dramatic development of the situation very closely,” Peskov added.

“But so far, thank God, at the level of statements.”

An attempt to take over the resource-rich island for national security reasons might not be as mad as it sounds.

Greenland sits right in the middle of the Arctic Ocean and is among the key trade routes in the region.

The Arctic has increasingly become the object of a struggle between international superpowers as Russia and China have both ramped up efforts to take control of the area.

Putin, whose nation owns around 40 per cent of the Arctic coastline, has been particularly proactive in cranking up military moves.

The Kremlin has started building the world’s largest fleet of nuclear icebreakers to open up new shipping routes.

ICY TENSIONS

Russia has not been the only country to send a warning Trump’s way after several major EU nations spoke out.

Both Germany and France made surprise warnings to the president-elect against using force to possibly take the ice island.

French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot suggested moves on the territory would be an attack on the European Union.

“There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be, attack its sovereign borders, whoever they are,” he said.

“We are a strong continent.”

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said Trump’s remarks triggered “incomprehension” among European leaders.

LAND GRAB

Although the president-elect has only floated the idea around, a visit to the ice island by his son made some eyes open.

Don Jr landed in Greenland’s capital Nuuk on Tuesday and was caught strolling across the airport’s snowy tarmac.

According to Greenland’s foreign affairs department, his trip was an unofficial visit and only latest just a few hours, with no formal meetings.

Despite this, chatter that Trump’s eldest son could be window shopping for Greenland did not stop.

Trump Snr could not resist hyping up his boy’s visit by uploading a glowing Truth Social post.

“I am hearing that the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA’,” the incoming commander-in-chief wrote.

“My son, Don Jr, and various representatives, will be traveling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights.

“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation.

“We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”

Trump also oddly put out potential plans for the US to retake control of the Panama Canal, change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and make Canada the 51st state.

He called the border between Canada and the US an “artificially drawn line.”