Russian Politician Suggests Returning Alaska to Moscow Using Frozen Assets

Sergey Mironov, leader of the ‘A Just Russia’ party, asserted on January 14 that Russia has legitimate grounds to repurchase Alaska from the United States. His remarks were made during a speech at the State Duma , as reported by Kapital Strany media.

The politician pointed to previous statements by US President Donald Trump about the possibility of redrawing the geopolitical map and noted it was an opportune moment to recall Russia’s sale of Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million.

Mironov pointed out that the $7.2 million paid for Alaska in 1867 would amount to $16.2 billion at today’s exchange rates. He also highlighted that Russian frozen assets in the West are worth $320 billion, suggesting that $16.2 billion of those funds could remain with the West while Alaska is returned to Russia.

“If we convert it at today’s rates, it’s $16.2 billion. But you know that $320 billion of our assets are frozen. Let them keep $16.2 billion and return Alaska to us,” Mironov stated.

Mironov also remarked on Trump’s statements regarding the potential purchase of Greenland, suggesting that the deal’s objective is to secure “his own northern sea route,” gain access to 25% of the world’s rare earth metal reserves, and position missile defense systems closer to Russia.

On January 21, Trump indicated that he is likely to impose new sanctions on Russia if Putin refuses to engage in negotiations over its invasion of Ukraine.