Vladimir Putin has waded into the heated dispute over Greenland, pricing the territory at up to $1 billion while insisting it’s irrelevant to Russia. As U.S. President Donald Trump doubles down on his ambition to buy the strategic Arctic outpost from Denmark, the Russian leader’s remarks add a new layer to the unfolding drama.
During a National Security Council session in the Kremlin, Putin lambasted Denmark’s long-standing colonial grip on Greenland. Established as a colony in the 18th century, Greenland gained self-governance in 1979, but Denmark still calls the shots on key issues. Putin described this dynamic as ‘quite strict treatment,’ urging the parties to resolve it privately.
‘It’s not our worry at all,’ Putin declared, quashing rumors of Russian interest fueled by Trump’s bold proposal. Historical precedents abound: America snapped up Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867 and the Danish West Indies—now U.S. Virgin Islands—in 1916. Putin suggested a similar deal could work for Greenland, given U.S. purchasing power.
Denmark remains unyielding. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen affirmed in Davos that sovereignty is non-negotiable. The U.S. footprint is already deep, with air bases from WWII bolstering defenses against potential threats. Russia’s top diplomat, Sergei Lavrov, dismissed intervention talk outright.
Speculation had mounted about Arctic rivalries involving Russia and China, but Putin’s first official statement clears the air. With ice caps receding, Greenland’s rare earth minerals and shipping routes are up for grabs, intensifying global stakes. Trump’s vision clashes with Danish pride, while Putin’s pricing quip injects unexpected levity into serious negotiations.