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(NewsNation) — Russian authorities tv personalities person renewed claims that Alaska rightfully belongs to Russia arsenic President Donald Trump is acceptable to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin successful Anchorage connected Friday.
During a caller broadcast of Russia-1's "60 Minutes" program, propagandist Olga Skabeyeva referred to Alaska arsenic "our Alaska" portion discussing a associated Russian-Chinese subject patrol that approached wrong 200 miles of the Alaskan coast, Newsweek reported.
The remark came aft State Duma Deputy Adalbi Shkhagoshev mentioned "our craft approached the borders of Alaska," prompting Skabeyeva to incorrectly assertion helium had said "our Alaska."
Putin state and TV big Vladimir Solovyov besides past twelvemonth called for Alaska's instrumentality to Russia during a authorities media program, on with Finland, Warsaw, the Baltics and Moldova, saying they should each beryllium "returned to the Russian Empire," Newsweek reported.
Putin-Trump acme successful Anchorage shows shared history
The territorial claims stem from Alaska's past arsenic a Russian colony from 1799 to 1867, erstwhile Russia sold the territory to the United States for $7.2 cardinal — astir 2 cents per acre — to wage disconnected debts from the Crimean War, according to NPR.
The purchase, known arsenic "Seward's Folly" aft Secretary of State William Seward, was criticized astatine the clip arsenic acquiring a "frozen wasteland."
In January, the Kremlin signed a decree directing officials to hunt for and registry Russian spot holdings abroad, including successful the "former Russian Empire" and "former USSR."
The U.S. State Department dismissed immoderate conception that Putin could reclaim Alaska.
State Dept dismisses claims: 'He is not getting it back'
"I talk for each of america successful the U.S. authorities to accidental that, certainly, helium is not getting it back," State Department main lawman spokesperson Vedant Patel said successful January.
The Alaska acme location carries some applicable and symbolic significance. The authorities sits conscionable 53 miles from Russia astatine the closest constituent crossed the Bering Strait, making it a earthy gathering ground.
But the prime besides highlights the shared past betwixt the 2 nations implicit the territory that was erstwhile "Siberia's Siberia" to Russian administrators.
