Russia’s foreign ministry has called on Trump to reaffirm the current international agreement surrounding the Panama Canal and to leave it in control of the nation of Panama.

Russia warned President Trump on Tuesday against seizing the Panama Canal, after he reiterated his intent to take control of the strategic waterway in his second inaugural address Monday. “We expect that during the expected discussions between the leadership of Panama and US President Donald Trump on issues of control over the Panama Canal,

Donald Trump cast himself both as a peacemaker and fierce defender of US interests in a mercurial return to the White House on Monday, vowing to seize the Panama Canal but also imploring Russia to make a deal on Ukraine.

The 50-mile Panama Canal was a multi-national, multi-decade project to link two oceans and transform global shipping. After completion in 1914, the canal helped turn the United States into an economic juggernaut.

Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump vowed on Monday that the United States would take back the Panama Canal as he delivered an inauguration speech in which he invoked the 19th century expansionist doctrine of "Manifest Destiny" in laying out plans for space exploration.

A military operation against a tiny neighbor would destroy US credibility in Latin America and provide a boost for China and Russia. Plus, the Panamanians would likely put up a good fight.

Donald Trump argues that the US needs Greenland for national security, while a retaking of the Panama Canal is necessary to curb the overcharging of American ships and combat Chinese influence.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to take ownership of the critical maritime trade route — which the U.S. signed over to Panama in 1977 — calling it “vital” to American interests and refusing to rule out using military force in pursuit of his goal.