Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he was not concerned with the dispute sparked by US President Donald Trump’s demand to acquire Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
“What happens to Greenland is none of our business,” Putin said in televised remarks during a meeting of Russia’s National Security Council.
However, he questioned Denmark’s historical treatment of Greenland, saying it had been harsh.
“Incidentally, Denmark has always treated Greenland as a colony and has been quite harsh, if not cruel, towards it. But that is a different matter entirely, and I doubt anyone is interested in it right now,” Putin said.
“It certainly doesn’t concern us. I think they will sort it out among themselves.”
Putin also noted historical precedents, recalling that Denmark sold the Virgin Islands to the United States in 1917, while Russia sold Alaska to the US in 1867 for $7.2 million.
