Putin Says Greenland Does Not Concern Russia, Compares Situation to Historic Alaska Sale

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the escalating international debate over Greenland's future "does not concern us at all," seeking to distance Russia from a diplomatic issue primarily between the United States and Denmark. However, during a meeting of the Russian Security Council, Putin extensively commented on the matter. He drew a direct historical analogy to Russia's own sale of Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million. Using that transaction as a benchmark and adjusting for inflation and differences in land area, Putin estimated the current value of Greenland to be between $200 and $250 million, quipping that the United States could likely "pull" such a financial commitment.

Beyond the financial comparison, Putin offered a pointed critique of Denmark's historical relationship with Greenland, stating that Denmark had "always treated Greenland as a colony" and governed it with methods he described as "quite harsh, if not cruel." This commentary inserted a historical grievance into the contemporary geopolitical discussion. The Russian leader's remarks come as former U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed public efforts to negotiate Greenland's acquisition, framing it as a strategic necessity. A central element of Trump's proposal is the planned deployment of a large-scale "Golden Dome" missile defence system on the island, which he argues would enhance the security of North America and the NATO alliance.

Putin's combined statements—offering a monetary valuation, critiquing colonial history, and declaring non-involvement—serve to frame the issue as a bilateral matter between Washington and Copenhagen while implicitly commenting on U.S. expansionism and the strategic militarisation of the Arctic. The episode highlights how Greenland has become a focal point in broader discussions of Arctic sovereignty, historical legacy, and great-power competition.