Russian TV Host Calls for Alaska to Return to Russian Control

Vladimir Solovyov, a well-known Russian TV host and supporter of President Vladimir Putin, recently said on Russian state media that Alaska should be brought back under Russian control.

Alaska was once part of Russia. In 1867, the U.S. bought it from Russia through the Alaska Treaty signed by President Andrew Johnson. Alaska officially became a U.S. state on January 3, 1959. The closest distance between Alaska and Russia is just 53 miles.

In early 2024, tensions grew when reports suggested Putin might consider trying to reclaim Alaska. This idea has been floated by Russian media during the ongoing war in Ukraine, with some even suggesting Russia could take over the state.

Tensions between Russia and NATO (a group of allied countries) are already high due to the war in Ukraine. NATO leaders have warned that a direct conflict with Russia is possible, especially as Putin and other Russian officials have repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons since the war began in February 2022.

Last month, after the U.S. gave Ukraine longer-range missiles, Putin increased his nuclear threats and made changes to Russia’s nuclear policies to make it easier to justify using atomic weapons. NATO countries like Germany and the Baltic states have also accused Russia of launching hybrid attacks and worry that Moscow could target them next after Ukraine.

On the show, Solovyov said countries like Finland, Poland Warsaw, the Baltic states, Moldova, and even Alaska should return to Russian control.

In a translated video, he said, Do you think I’m joking when I mention Finland, Warsaw, the Baltics, Moldova? Everything returned to the Russian Empire. And Alaska too, while you’re at it.

This video was shared online by Anton Gerashchenko, a former adviser to Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. Gerashchenko warned that Solovyov’s comments show how far Russian leaders are willing to go, saying, They won’t stop at Ukraine. The Russian imperialists are insatiable.

On December 17, four Russian military planes entered international airspace near Alaska, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command NORAD.

While the planes didn’t enter U.S. or Canadian territory, NORAD tracked their movements and confirmed they weren’t a threat. These kinds of encounters happen often. For example, in September, Russian aircraft entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone several times, including patrol planes and reconnaissance aircraft.

 

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