Russian Commander Islands up for potential sale, drawing American interest and evaluation.
A proposal by a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Fritz to purchase the Commander Islands from Russia for $15 billion has sparked controversy, with the Russian authorities firmly dismissing the idea as unconstitutional and morally unacceptable.
The proposal, made in an article for Breaking Defense, suggests that control over the Commander Islands would be a "peaceful and pragmatic" way for the United States to strengthen its position in the Arctic region. The Commander Islands, a Russian territory, are not for sale by Russia, and any proposal suggesting their sale has been officially and strongly rejected by Russian authorities.
From the U.S. side, the proposal is seen as a strategic idea to enhance U.S. monitoring of Chinese submarine activity en route to the Arctic, given the islands' key location near the Bering Sea and Aleutian region. Fritz argues that the acquisition would allow the U.S. to better secure Arctic interests and reunite the Aleut indigenous people divided by international borders. The comparison is made to the historic Alaska purchase of 1867.
However, Russian authorities have been unequivocal in their rejection of the proposal. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, denounced the proposal as absurd and morally unacceptable, underscoring constitutional prohibitions against selling Russian land. Alexey Chepa from the State Duma also affirmed Russia's stance that territories are not for sale under any circumstances.
There was a rhetorical counter-proposal made by Crimean officials ludicrously suggesting the U.S. might sell Alaska back to Russia to settle its national debt, highlighting the absurdity of the original offer and emphasizing Alaska’s Russian historical ties.
The proposal includes the archipelago, its exclusive economic zone, resources, and infrastructure. It is not clear whether the proposal has been officially considered or accepted by the relevant authorities. The Russian Foreign Ministry reminded Lieutenant Colonel Fritz of both conscience and the law, calling the sale of the Commander Islands a "terrible crime."
The Commander Islands have an associated exclusive economic zone, and their strategic location near the Bering Sea makes them crucial for monitoring submarine activity in the Arctic region. Fritz suggests that control over the Commander Islands would enhance U.S. security in the region, particularly in monitoring Chinese activity.
The proposal comes at a time when tensions in Arctic security, Russian territorial integrity, and great-power rivalry involving China, Russia, and the U.S. are on the rise. Chinese ships may use Arctic routes in the future, and the U.S. is seeking to secure its interests in the region.
Trump previously dreamed of expanding the territory of the United States, including joining Canada, Mexico, Greenland, and the Panama Canal. However, it is not clear whether the Commander Islands were part of this dream.
Fritz had considered the possibility of incorporating the Commander Islands into Alaska or creating a new unincorporated territory. It remains to be seen whether the proposal will gain traction or whether it will be dismissed as a hypothetical strategic idea rather than an official policy move.
The proposal to purchase the Commander Islands from Russia, discussed in an article for Breaking Defense by U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Fritz, has sparked debates about policy-and-legislation and politics, particularly concerning war-and-conflicts and general-news, given the rising tensions in Arctic security and great-power rivalry involving China, Russia, and the U.S. Alexey Chepa from the State Duma has affirmed Russia's stance that territories are not for sale under any circumstances, stressing the moral unacceptability and constitutional prohibitions against such sales.
