Alaska’s in Their Sights! Russian TV’s Wild Plans Get Heated Fast!

Russian State TV recently stirred controversy when hosts on a popular talk show discussed the possibility of Alaska “rejoining” Russia. The conversation, seemingly lighthearted, tapped into historical claims that once again placed Alaska at the center of geopolitics.

During the broadcast, one of the hosts made a sarcastic remark, saying: “Do you know what they call Alaska? Ice Crimea,” referencing the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014. The host went further, suggesting that Alaska will “one day return to its native shores.” While the comment was made in a joking tone, the underlying message reflected a deep-seated belief that Alaska still has ties to Russia, even though it was sold to the United States in 1867.

This kind of rhetoric mirrors the justification used for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, claiming that territories “belong” to Russia due to historical ties. It’s the same logic that has been used to fuel ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, where Russia asserts that the region is part of its homeland.

Despite the provocative nature of these comments, the Pentagon has remained silent. Newsweek reached out for a statement but did not receive a response. In an attempt to gain further clarity, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also contacted, though no comment has been provided.

The clip from the broadcast gained attention on September 20 when Anton Geraschenko, a former member of the Ukrainian parliament and now an adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister, shared it on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He captioned the video with a warning to the U.S.: “Attention, United States! Russian propagandists are discussing possible options for the ‘return’ of Alaska.”

In the broadcast, the men further speculated that the U.S. is “very scared” and claimed that America had deployed a division with HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rockets) to the Aleutian Islands, which are located near Alaska. These claims have not been verified, and Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Army for confirmation.

The notion of Alaska’s “return” to Russia has been a recurring theme in Russian political discourse. In early 2024, reports indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin was exploring ways to reclaim Russia’s former territories abroad, stirring tensions once more. This followed remarks by Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian Prime Minister, who jokingly teased about the possibility of war over Alaska on X, adding fuel to the fire with a laughing emoji.

U.S. officials, however, have made it clear that Alaska’s fate is not up for discussion. In a January press briefing, State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel addressed the issue directly, stating, “I think I can speak for all of us in the U.S. government to say that certainly he’s not getting [Alaska] back.”

The political climate surrounding Alaska has become more tense in recent months. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has voiced concern over increasing foreign activity in the region. On September 17, he issued a statement highlighting the presence of Russian and Chinese forces near Alaska. “Once again our military has had to respond to activities by our nation’s adversaries. Russian and Chinese incursions into U.S. zones off Alaska have become an increasingly frequent occurrence,” Dunleavy warned. He called on Washington to recognize the growing threat and ramp up military support for the state.

The talk show comments may have been made in jest, but they echo Russia’s historical ambitions and current geopolitical maneuvers. With heightened military activity and ongoing discussions about past territorial claims, the situation in Alaska serves as a reminder of the fragile state of global politics. As these tensions simmer, U.S. officials remain resolute that Alaska’s status will not change.