In a press briefing held on Monday, the State Department responded to recent reports of Russian President Vladimir Putin looking into former Russian "real estate" abroad, including Alaska. Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel firmly stated that Alaska will continue to remain under American control, dismissing any suggestions of its return to Russian hands.

Last week, Putin signed a decree to allocate funds for the research and registration of Russian property overseas, including territories previously part of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union. While the decree did not explicitly mention Alaska, military bloggers argued that Putin's actions could be interpreted as a move to declare the 1867 sale of Alaska to the U.S. as illegal.

The Institute for the Study of War highlighted the lack of clarity regarding the precise definition of Russia's current or historical property. The institute's assessment suggested that the Kremlin may use the protection of claimed property in countries beyond internationally recognized borders to exert soft power and potentially destabilize neighboring states.

Responding to concerns, Patel firmly stated that the U.S. government is clear on Alaska's status and affirmed that it will not be returned to Russia. His statement elicited laughter from the audience, emphasizing the confidence the U.S. holds regarding the issue.

Putin's remarks on the 1867 sale of Alaska asserted that it was "inexpensive" and played down any significance in reclaiming it. While the Russian president seemed to downplay the sale, Russian lawmaker Sergei Mironov hinted at the possibility of Moscow reclaiming its previous territories in the future.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took a jocular approach to the State Department's response, humorously commenting on social media that the wait for Alaska's return was over, with a laughing emoji attached.

The dispute over Alaska comes amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has heightened concerns about Russian territorial ambitions beyond its recognized borders. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 had already raised alarm bells in the international community.

As tensions persist, it remains to be seen how Russia's claims on former territories, including Alaska, will impact regional dynamics and international relations. For now, the State Department's resolute stance reiterates that Alaska will continue to remain a part of the United States.