As the Russian and US presidents prepare to meet in the Alaskan capital, speculation that Vladimir Putin rejects the legitimacy of Russia’s 1867 sale of Alaska to the US has resurfaced online.

Alaska

Speculation has arisen about Russia contesting US sovereignty over Alaska, coinciding with a scheduled meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in the state. The location is notable due to Alaska's history as a former Russian colony, sold to the US in 1867. 

Some Kremlin officials have referenced Russia's historical ties to the territory, and a recent Russian decree addresses the protection of historic overseas assets. However, there is no official evidence that Russia has nullified the sale of Alaska or is formally seeking its return. Claims about a Russian Supreme Court ruling or a decree specifically targeting Alaska are unsubstantiated.

Is Russia contesting U.S. sovereignty over Alaska?

Is Russia really contesting US sovereignty over Alaska? Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are meeting on Friday in Alaska, where US and Russian territories practically touch. But the choice of venue is both practical and symbolic. The US state was once a Russian colony. In 1867, Alaska was sold by Russia to the US for $7.2 million, so that Moscow could pay off debts accrued during the Crimean War. Alaska was not considered economically critical for the Kremlin, and was also seen as an extremely remote part of Russia's territory. Today, it is the largest US state. Since the confirmation that Friday's Putin-Trump meetup will take place in Alaska, leading Kremlin officials have referenced Russia's historical claims to the territory. This Kremlin envoy also shared photographs of Russian Orthodox churches in the territory. Social media users have also been speculating that the US president could be forced to hand back the territory to Putin, speculation fueled by Trump appearing to confuse Alaska for Russia. You know, I'm going to see Putin. I'm going to Russia on Friday. Some social media users have also claimed a 2022 ruling from the Russian Supreme Court nullified the sale of Alaska to the US in 1867, but we were unable to identify any official court documents corroborating this claim. Other users claim Putin declared the sale of Alaska illegal in a January 2024 decree. The decree does exist. It relates to the protection of Russia's historic overseas assets. While some analysts say the Kremlin could use the decree to reopen historical territorial disputes, it makes no specific reference to Alaska or its 1867 sale to the US.

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