Putin's Decree on Overseas Russian Property Stirs Speculation, U.S. Dismisses Alaska Claims

Despite rumors, Putin's recent decree does not specifically target Alaska, and the U.S. State Department asserts it will remain American territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree last week to allocate funds for the research and registration of Russian property overseas, including that in former territories of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union.
Despite rumors and speculation, the decree did not specifically mention Alaska or declare the 1867 Russian sale of Alaska to the U.S. as illegal.
The U.S. State Department dismissed the reports, with principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel stating, 'certainly he’s not getting it back.'
Experts suggest that the Kremlin may use the 'protection' of its claimed property in countries outside of its internationally recognized borders to forward soft power mechanisms in post-Soviet and neighboring states, ultimately aimed at internal destabilization.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev joked about the State Department’s response, writing on X, 'According to a State Department representative, Russia is not getting back Alaska, which was sold to the U.S. in the 19th century. This is it, then. And we’ve been waiting for it to be returned any day. Now war is unavoidable,' with a laughing emoji attached.