Speaking before the Russian Security Council on January 22, President Vladimir Putin declared that who owns Greenland is not Russia's concern, and said that the US and Denmark should resolve this issue together. This is the first time Mr. Putin has publicly commented on the controversy surrounding the semi-autonomous island of Denmark.
According to Mr. Putin, Moscow will not oppose US President Donald Trump's efforts to find a way to control Greenland. He said Russia is not involved in this story, although developments surrounding Greenland have increased divisions between Washington and Europe.
The Russian President also stated that Greenland could be worth nearly 1 billion USD. His argument is based on historical precedent, when Russia sold Alaska to the US in 1867 for 7.2 million USD and Denmark sold the Virgin Islands to Washington in 1917.
From that price level, adjusted according to inflation, territorial scale and gold price fluctuations, Mr. Putin said that the Greenland deal worth about 1 billion USD is a figure that the US can accept.
In his speech, Mr. Putin also criticized Denmark's treatment of Greenland in history, saying that Copenhagen once considered this island as a colony and applied harsh policies. However, he emphasized that this is not an issue of Russia's concern at the present time.
Mr. Putin's statements were made in the context that President Donald Trump recently withdrew his tax threats and ruled out the possibility of using force to seize control of Greenland, while suggesting progress in discussions related to this Arctic territory.
Russia is closely monitoring developments between the US and Europe around Greenland, especially as Moscow is maintaining a strong presence in the Arctic region.
Previously, the Russian Foreign Ministry had rejected the insinuation that Russia had ambitions for Greenland, while avoiding direct criticism of Mr. Trump.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also once said that Greenland, despite being rich in resources and having a US military presence, is not a natural part of Denmark.
Concluding the issue, Mr. Putin said that the US and Denmark will find a solution themselves, and Russia has no reason to intervene.
