Russian state television discussed President-elect Donald Trump's call for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, suggesting Moscow should also increase its territorial ambitions, including Alaska which was sold to the U.S. in the 19th century.
Russia 1 channel host Viktor Solovyov referred to Trump's aspirations to take control of Greenland as a spur to what Russia should have its eye on. During cross-talk between guests and the anchor, the idea of taking Alaska and Japan was also raised. Newsweek has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment.
Why it matters
While Russian state television pundits do not necessarily reflect Kremlin thinking, the fallout from Trump's refusal to rule out acquiring Greenland continues.
Having already invaded Ukraine, Russia has said it would keep a close eye on Trump's claims which critics have said legitimize encroaching on other countries' sovereignty, spurring more imperial ambitions from Moscow.
What to know
The light-hearted exchange was posted on X (formerly Twitter) by former Ukrainian internal affairs adviser Anton Gerashchenko. Solovyov referred to comments on a previous show by Russian MP and former military commander Andrey Gurulyov that Moscow, rather than the U.S., should take control of Greenland.
Solovyov said that Scandinavia was a strategic threat before riffing on how Russians were "heirs to the Vikings." Evgeny Buzhinsky, a former military officer said, "If we are talking about ambitions, we can also remember Alaska which was given away for a cheap price."
Over the course of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Russian officials have threatened to reclaim Alaska, which the U.S. bought for $7.2 million from Russia in 1867, such as Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the State Duma.
Solovyov jumped in to raise the prospect of Russia's claim on a part of Japan that had one island reportedly "promised to Comrade (Joseph) Stalin," referring to the Soviet leader.
Trump's views about Greenland, as well as his comments about wanting to make Canada the 51st state of the U.S., have been covered widely in Russia's media.
Renée de Nevers, associate professor at Syracuse University, told Newsweek that Trump's comments about Greenland showed no recognition of the principles of sovereignty and international law and would likely be lapped up by Putin.
What people are saying
Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov said: "If the fate of Greenland has already been decided then maybe...we should take control of it ourselves and then we will make a deal with Trump."
Evgeny Buzhinsky, guest on Solovyov's show: "If we are talking about ambitions, we can also remember Alaska which was given away cheaply."
Renée de Nevers, associate professor at Syracuse University, told Newsweek: "Trump's threats to use military force to acquire Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, undercut efforts to preserve this core principle, and implicitly legitimate President Putin's own efforts to gain territory by force.
"This also bolsters Russia's efforts to claim that the United States behaves no differently," she said.
What happens next
Solovyov has previously called for Alaska's return to Russia and this propaganda line is likely to continue, although there is no sign that Moscow will make any move for the state. Trump's comments on Greenland are likely to remain talking points for Kremlin propagandists and could be leveraged by Moscow for its imperial aims.
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