"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.
"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
