Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that he is taking President Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland “seriously,” signaling a potential escalation of Arctic geopolitical tensions as the United States presses forward with its controversial ambitions in the region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that competition in the Arctic between various nations is growing, as US President Donald Trump seeks to annex Greenland and NATO increases its activities in the region.

In Murmansk, the largest city north of the Arctic circle, President Vladimir Putin vowed to "strengthen Russia's global leadership in the Arctic", while warning that "geopolitical competition in the region" was intensifying. The first example he gave was Donald Trump's idea to acquire Greenland.

The White House on Thursday dismissed Russia's Putin's suggestion that peace talks in Ukraine depend on it being governed by the UN while elections are held.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed Friday to temporarily put Ukraine under external governance as part of efforts to reach a peaceful settlement, in remarks that reflected the Kremlin leader's determination to achieve his war goals.

By Ronald Popeski (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested Ukraine be placed under a form of temporary administration to allow for new elections and the signature of key accords to reach a settlement in the war,