By Andrew Osborn
MOSCOW, Jan 21 (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that ownership of Greenland was not Russia’s concern and that the United States and Denmark – whose historic treatment of the island has been criticized – should resolve the issue between them.
Moscow watched with joy as US President Donald Trump’s effort to acquire Greenland widened Washington’s rift with Europe, even though his move could have ramifications for Russia, which already has a strong presence in the Arctic.
Speaking in Davos, Trump on Wednesday backed off threats to impose tariffs as leverage to seize Greenland and ruled out the use of force. He suggested progress towards an agreement to end a dispute over the semi-autonomous Danish territory that has risked the deepest split in transatlantic relations in decades.
Putin, addressing the issue in public for the first time, indicated that Russia would not object to Trump’s push to control Greenland, which he speculated could be worth nearly $1 billion.
“What happens in Greenland is of no concern to us,” Putin said during a meeting of Russia’s Security Council.
“Incidentally, Denmark always treated Greenland as a colony and was quite harsh, if not cruel, towards it. But this is a completely different issue, and almost nobody is interested in it now,” Putin added.
THE BILLION DOLLAR PRICE?
Denmark’s financial and military support for Ukraine has angered Russia, which is fighting to take full control of four Ukrainian regions it claims as its own in 2022.
Russia’s foreign ministry stood by Trump’s suggestion that Moscow has ambitions over Greenland as well, but was careful not to criticize Trump – who is trying to get a deal to end the war in Ukraine – and hinted that he has some sympathy for his claim.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that the resource-rich giant island, which already has a US military presence, was not a “natural part” of Denmark.
Putin recalled that Russia in 1867 sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million, and that Denmark in 1917 sold the Virgin Islands to Washington, thus setting precedents for such land transactions.
Using the price of Alaska – adjusted for inflation and accounting for Greenland’s larger size and changes in gold prices, Putin said the purchase of Greenland from Denmark could cost about $1 billion, which he said he thought Washington could afford.
“I think they will arrange it among themselves,” said Putin.
(Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Sharon Singleton Editing by Sharon Singleton)