Moscow. Russia wants to expand its presence in the Arctic. According to the Interfax Agency, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on Wednesday said that it should be used under the chairmanship of the Arctic Council to be held in Moscow next month.
“This is an opportunity to strengthen our country’s role as the coordinator and initiator of many programs in the region.” He initially did not provide any details.
In addition to Russia, the Arctic Council includes Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Canada, Norway, Sweden and the USA. It is a platform for cooperation and to take care of sustainable development and environmental protection, especially in the area around the North Pole. Russia claims raw materials on the Arctic coastline and has recently increased military presence there.
Russia Builds “Most Powerful Icebreaker Fleet in the World”
Russia intends to use the new icebreaker to deactivate the Arctic for shipping throughout the year. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin said that in the near future, ships could travel year-round via the northeast route along Russia’s Arctic coast. For this, “the most powerful icebreaker fleet in the world” is being built.
A year ago, Moscow announced the construction of the largest nuclear icebreaker to date, “Leader”. Only in March, after the Suez Canal was blocked for days by a container ship, alternative routes for the important shipping route between Asia and Europe came to mind.
