Russian President Vladimir Putin brushed aside President Donald Trump’s ambitions to bring Greenland under U.S. control on Wednesday, saying the issue was “none of our business,” even as he casually floated a potential $1 billion valuation for the massive Arctic territory.
Speaking during a televised meeting of Russia’s National Security Council, Vladimir Putin signaled little concern over Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland, despite the president framing the move as a necessary step to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. Putin said the matter was one for Washington and its allies to resolve on their own.
“What happens to Greenland is none of our business,” Putin said, adding that it “certainly doesn’t concern us” and predicting the parties involved would sort it out themselves. While distancing Russia from the debate, Putin took a pointed swipe at Denmark, accusing Copenhagen of having historically treated Greenland as a colony.
“Incidentally, Denmark has always treated Greenland as a colony and has been quite harsh, if not cruel, towards it,” Putin said, before quickly dismissing the comment as beside the point and suggesting no one was particularly interested in that aspect of the issue at the moment.
Putin went on to reference historical land deals involving the United States, noting that Denmark sold the U.S. Virgin Islands to Washington in 1917. He said that sale came in exchange for American recognition of Denmark’s control over Greenland. He also pointed out that Russia itself sold Alaska to the United States in 1867, underscoring that large territorial transactions are not unprecedented.
According to Reuters, Putin then speculated that Greenland could be worth around $1 billion, a figure he suggested the United States could easily afford. The comment appeared less like a serious proposal and more like a rhetorical aside, reinforcing his message that the issue does not rise to the level of Russian concern.
Putin’s remarks came as Trump continues to press the case for U.S. ownership of Greenland, arguing that control of the territory is critical for national and international security. Trump has repeatedly warned that Greenland’s strategic location makes it a key factor in Arctic defense, particularly as global powers expand their presence in the region.
Earlier in the week, Trump appeared to soften some of his rhetoric toward European allies resisting his push. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, Donald Trump ruled out the use of military force and said he was no longer threatening tariffs as leverage against Europe.
Instead, Trump called for a shift toward “immediate negotiations,” signaling that while he remains determined to pursue Greenland, he wants to do so through talks rather than coercion. The remarks marked a contrast with earlier comments that had raised alarms among European leaders.
Putin’s public indifference may be strategic, given that Trump has repeatedly cited Russian and Chinese ambitions in the Arctic as justification for U.S. control of Greenland. By dismissing the issue outright, the Kremlin leader sought to project calm and distance, even while acknowledging that the territory has a monetary value and a complicated colonial history.
The exchange highlights the unusual geopolitical moment surrounding Greenland, as Trump pushes a bold strategic vision, European allies push back, and rival powers publicly claim to be unconcerned, even as the Arctic grows more important on the world stage.
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