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The Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, calculated how much "Greenland would cost" if compared to the purchase of Alaska in the 19th century and stated that the price could range between about 200-250 million dollars and around 1,000 million, referring to the value of gold and the transaction from 1867.
According to the agency EFE, Putin made these statements during a meeting of the Russian Security Council (the second convened that week), amid renewed interest from U.S. President Donald Trump in reaching an agreement regarding the Arctic island, despite Denmark's opposition to a change of sovereignty.
According to the report, Putin compared the area of Greenland to that of Alaska and stated that if we consider the amount paid by the United States in 1867, the price would amount to approximately 200-250 million dollars.
He then added that if one considers the price of gold at that time, the figure would be higher, "close to 1,000 million," and stated that the United States "can reach" that amount.
In his reasoning, he recalled that Washington purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire in 1867 for 7.2 million dollars, a transaction that the American press of the time even mocked, according to his words.
Despite presenting figures, Putin maintained that the issue of Greenland "does not concern them" and expressed his belief that Washington and Copenhagen will ultimately reach some kind of agreement.
In the same context, the report indicates that Putin mentioned that Denmark has historically treated Greenland as a colony and in a "harsh" manner, according to statements attributed to the Russian agency TASS.
Putin's comments come as Trump, speaking from the Davos Forum, discussed a "framework" for an agreement with NATO concerning Greenland and asserted that he would not use force to acquire it, while emphasizing that it is a key objective for U.S. security.
This is not the first time Putin has spoken on the subject. In previous statements reported by the media, he asserted that U.S. plans regarding Greenland were "serious" and had "historical roots," dismissing the idea that it was mere rhetoric.
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