Russian President Vladimir Putin weighed in on renewed international discussion surrounding Greenland by drawing historical comparisons to the United States’ 19th-century purchase of Alaska, calculating what a similar territorial acquisition might look like today while stressing that the issue does not concern Russia.

Speaking during a public appearance, Putin referenced the 1867 sale of Alaska, when the Russian Empire transferred the territory to the United States. “We have Alaska,” Putin said. “If my memory serves me correctly, the area of Alaska is about 1 million—around 1,170,000—square kilometers, perhaps a little more. The United States bought Alaska from us for 7.2 million US dollars.”

Putin does math:

Regarding Greenland… well, this doesn’t concern us at all—what happens with Greenland.

But we do have experience in resolving similar issues with the United States in the 19th century, I believe in 1867. As we know, Russia sold Alaska, and the United States… pic.twitter.com/BF8sHjYmwg

— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 21, 2026

Putin said that, adjusted for inflation, the Alaska purchase would amount to roughly $158 million in today’s dollars, though he noted he would need to double-check the precise figure. He then compared Alaska’s size to Greenland, which he described as larger in land area. “The area of Greenland is a little larger, I think—about 2,166,000 square kilometers, again with a bit extra,” he said, estimating a difference of roughly 450,000 to 500,000 square kilometers.

Using that comparison, Putin suggested that a proportional price for Greenland, based on the Alaska deal, would range between $200 million and $250 million. He added that calculating the price using gold values from the 19th century would yield a higher figure, “probably closer to a billion dollars,” but said such an amount would still be affordable for the United States.

Putin also pointed to historical precedent beyond Alaska, noting that Denmark and the United States have previously engaged in territorial transactions. “Most importantly, Denmark and the United States already have experience in this regard,” he said, referencing the 1917 sale of the Danish Virgin Islands to the United States.

While making the comparison, Putin emphasized that Russia has no stake in the matter. “Regarding Greenland… well, this doesn’t concern us at all—what happens with Greenland,” he said, adding that any questions about Greenland’s future are for Denmark and the United States to resolve.

Putin briefly commented on Denmark’s historical governance of Greenland, describing it as colonial and harsh, but dismissed the relevance of that history to current discussions. “That is a separate issue,” he said. “It is unlikely that anyone is interested in that now, and in any case, it does not concern us. I believe they will sort it out among themselves.”