Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia has no stake in who controls Greenland, while suggesting a potential U.S. purchase could be valued at roughly $1 billion.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia is unconcerned with which country ultimately owns Greenland, while offering an estimate of its potential value amid renewed discussion by President Donald Trump about expanding the U.S. presence on the Arctic island, according to Reuters.
Speaking during a meeting of Russia’s Security Council as global leaders gathered for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Putin dismissed the issue as irrelevant to Moscow’s interests. “What happens in Greenland is of no concern to us whatsoever,” Putin said.
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, which has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine through financial and military assistance in its war against Russia. Trump has repeatedly argued that a stronger U.S. foothold in Greenland is strategically important, particularly to counter the influence of Russia and China in the Arctic.
Putin criticized Denmark’s historical treatment of the territory, saying, “Incidentally, Denmark has always treated Greenland as a colony and has been quite harsh, if not cruel, towards it. But that is a different matter altogether, and hardly anyone is interested in it now.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added to the debate earlier this week, stating that Greenland was not “a natural part” of Denmark, comments that came as Trump again raised the prospect of U.S. involvement with the island.
Putin also pointed to historical precedents for territorial sales involving the United States. He referenced Russia’s 1867 sale of Alaska to the U.S. for $7.2 million and Denmark’s 1917 sale of the Virgin Islands to Washington, suggesting those transactions provide a framework for evaluating Greenland.
Adjusting the Alaska purchase price for inflation, while accounting for Greenland’s larger landmass and changes in gold prices, Putin estimated that acquiring Greenland could cost about $1 billion. He added that such a sum would likely be within U.S. means.
“I think they will sort it out between themselves,” Putin said.