Vance points to Greenland’s strategic significance as Armenia visit wraps up

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN: Vice President JD Vance arrived in Azerbaijan on Tuesday, February 10, after wrapping up a historic visit to Armenia, where he made pointed remarks linking Greenland’s future to US national security interests.

Speaking to reporters in Armenia shortly before boarding his flight to Baku, Vance suggested that Washington’s growing financial and military commitments in the Arctic must translate into tangible strategic benefits for the United States.

The remarks came amid heightened geopolitical competition in the Arctic and as the Trump administration continues to recalibrate its global security priorities.

Vance re-iterates importance of Greenland

Vance’s remarks on Greenland were delivered in Armenia as he wrapped up meetings in Yerevan and prepared to travel onward to Azerbaijan.

Casting the issue as one of strategic fairness, the vice president stressed that the United States could not indefinitely shoulder the cost of Arctic security without securing long-term advantages.

“I know that we’ve been working quite a bit on this over the last few weeks, but it’s just very simple,” Vance said.

“Greenland is very important to the national security of the United States of America.”

He criticized what he described as insufficient defense investment by some US allies in the Arctic region, arguing that Washington had increasingly been left to carry the burden alone.

“If we’re going to basically pay a lot of money and be on the hook for protecting this massive landmass, I think it’s only reasonable for the United States to get some of it out of that,” Vance said.

Vance added that discussions around Greenland and Arctic security are expected to intensify in the coming months as the administration evaluates how resources are allocated and what strategic returns the United States should expect.

A historic vice-presidential visit to Armenia

Before departing for Azerbaijan, Vance completed a landmark visit to Armenia, which is the first by a sitting US vice president or president since the country gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

During his time in Yerevan, Vance met Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and signed an agreement aimed at speeding up negotiations on a civilian nuclear energy partnership.

He also indicated that Washington was open to exporting advanced computer chips and surveillance drones to Armenia, while exploring broader infrastructure investments.

Vance framed the engagement as part of a long-term effort to deepen US - Armenian ties and reduce the country’s economic and security dependence on regional powers.

“Peace is not made by cautious people,” Vance said during public remarks, signaling Washington’s expectation that the Armenian leadership continue taking politically difficult steps to stabilize the region.

Vance’s arrival in Azerbaijan follows a White House-hosted meeting in August between Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, where both leaders agreed to advance a long-pending peace treaty.

Vance has signed the Charter on Strategic Partnership with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during his stop at Baku.

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