The situation around Greenland does not concern Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Regarding Greenland. It does not concern us at all what is happening with Greenland," Putin said during a meeting with the members of the Russian Security Council on Wednesday.
At the same time, speaking about the possible solution to the issue of Greenland in connection with the idea of US President Donald Trump to take the island under American control, Putin made a comparison with the purchase of Alaska from Russia by the US in the 19th century.
According to the Russian leader, today's purchase of Greenland will cost the USA approximately 200-250 million dollars.
"We have experience in solving similar problems with the United States. In the 19th century, I think in 1867, as we know, Russia sold Alaska to the United States, and the United States bought it from us. And if my memory serves me right, the area of Alaska is about 1,717,000 square kilometers, a little more. The United States bought Alaska from us for 7.2 million dollars. Of course, these numbers need to be verified, but I think they are approximately correct. At today's prices, taking into account decades of inflation, this figure would be 158 million dollars," Putin said.
"Greenland's area, I think, is a little bigger: 2,166,000 square kilometers. It is a difference of about 449,000-450,000 square kilometers. If we compare it with the cost of acquiring Alaska by the United States, the price of Greenland would be about 200-250 million dollars," the Russian president explained.
As Putin explained, "if we compare it with the gold prices at that time, that number will be higher, probably about one billion dollars (ed.)".
"But I think that the United States will stretch this number as well. And most importantly, Denmark and the United States also have experience in this matter.in my opinionDenmark already sold the Virgin Islands in 1917 and the United States bought them. Thus, such an experience also exists," the head of state said.
"By the way, Denmark has always treated Greenland as a colony," Putin said.
The president added that Denmark treated the island "quite severely, if not brutally".
"But that's another question. At this point, it is unlikely that anyone will be interested. But it certainly does not apply to us. I think they will settle it among themselves," Putin concluded.
