 "Putin says Trump’s Greenland move ‘not our concern’ but reminds Russia of Alaska sale to US")
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that President Donald Trump’s ambition to take over Greenland is “not our concern”. At the same time, he mentioned Russia selling Alaska to America in 1867.
“What happens to Greenland is none of our business. Incidentally, Denmark has always treated Greenland as a colony and has been quite harsh, if not cruel, towards it. But that’s a different matter entirely, and I doubt anyone’s interested in it right now,” Putin said in a televised address to the national Security Council.
Putin, quoted by Russian news agencies, told the Russian Security Council that the situation brought to mind Russia’s 19th-century sale of Alaska to the United States. He estimated the current value of Greenland at $200-250 million.
About the Alaska purchase
In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire for $7.2 million, a deal negotiated by US Secretary of State William Seward and Russian Minister Edouard de Stoeckl.
Russia sought to sell the territory primarily because it was a financial burden and nearly impossible to defend; following their defeat in the Crimean War, Russian leadership feared that their rival, Great Britain, might easily seize the land from neighbouring Canada in a future conflict.
By selling to the US, Russia hoped to gain a strategic buffer against British expansion and inject much-needed gold into their depleted treasury.
What has Russia’s stand been on Greenland?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Greenland was not “a natural part” of Denmark and that the problem of former colonial territories was becoming more acute.
Russia has reacted gleefully to the growing US-Europe divide over Greenland, but has bristled at Trump’s suggestion that Moscow is also seeking control over the island.
Quick Reads
View All“In principle, Greenland is not a natural part of Denmark, is it? It was neither a natural part of Norway nor a natural part of Denmark. It is a colonial conquest. The fact that the inhabitants are now accustomed to it and feel comfortable is another matter.” Lavrov said.
With inputs from agencies
 "Greenland or Iceland, ‘stupid people’ and more… Takeaways from Trump’s Davos speech")
 "New Zealand: Heavy rain triggers landslide at campsite; voices of those buried heard beneath rubble")
 "Trump says 'framework' for Greenland deal ready, drops tariffs on European countries")
 "Putin agrees to contribute $1 billion to Trump's Board of Peace")
 "Greenland or Iceland, ‘stupid people’ and more… Takeaways from Trump’s Davos speech")
 "New Zealand: Heavy rain triggers landslide at campsite; voices of those buried heard beneath rubble")
 "Trump says 'framework' for Greenland deal ready, drops tariffs on European countries")
 "Putin agrees to contribute $1 billion to Trump's Board of Peace")
