Threatening to reclaim Alaska from the US, the Russian parliament speaker has expressed opposition to using seized Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine post-war.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the state legislature called Duma and Russia’s most senior politician, made these comments during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, July 6.

The Russian Empire established several outposts in North America during the 18th and 19th centuries, with Alaska being the first and most enduring.

Russian House speaker threatens to take Alaska from the US as revenge if the US uses seized Russian assets to help rebuild Ukraine

However, Alaska was sold to US President Andrew Johnson for $7.2 million by Russian Tsar Alexander II in 1867, which is equivalent to $144 million in today’s currency, and it became a US state in 1959.

Now, the Russian politician suggests that Russia should closely monitor Alaska.

Volodin stated to the lower house of parliament, ‘Decency is not weakness. We always have something to answer with. Let America always remember, there is part of its territory… Alaska.’ He cautioned, ‘When they start trying to dispose of our resources abroad, let them think before they do so that we also have something to get back.’

He directed other lawmakers to ‘keep an eye on Alaska’.

With President Zelensky and allies advocating for the use of seized Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction, calls have intensified in recent weeks ahead of a formal proposition to the UN in September.

Ukraine estimates the cost of rebuilding the damage to the country to be a staggering $750 billion.

To alleviate the burden on Kyiv and its allies, politicians propose that seized Russian assets, including $300 billion in foreign currency reserves, should contribute towards the final bill.

Russian politician Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy speaker of the Duma, also suggested on Wednesday that a referendum should be held in Alaska on rejoining Russia.

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