Putin wants to increase military presence in the Arctics
28.03.2025 - 12:15
Moscow has announced its intention to more actively “defend its interests in the region,” which is turning into an arena of growing geopolitical competition.
The Kremlin announced the strengthening of Russian military forces in the Arctic, stating that “Russia will continue to defend its strategic interests in the region.” Gospodarka Morska writes about this.
“It is obvious that the role and importance of the Arctic for both Russia and the whole world is growing. But, unfortunately, geopolitical competition, the struggle for positions in this region, is also intensifying,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
Putin also commented on American ambitions in the region, mentioning US President Donald Trump’s intentions to acquire Greenland.
“This has nothing to do with Russia, but it is obvious that the US will advance its interests in the Arctic. And they are doing it systematically and historically consistently,” the Russian leader noted.
Against the backdrop of Western sanctions, Putin has specifically emphasized the importance of the Northern Sea Route as an alternative route for Russian trade to Asia. He has called for the expansion of northern ports, the construction of a fleet, including the use of the latest nuclear icebreakers, and has not ruled out cooperation with foreign shipyards, given the limited production capacity within the country.
The Arctic contains significant reserves of oil, gas, and minerals, and climate change could make access to them easier. According to analysts, Russia has outpaced the West in the process of militarizing the region. Moscow is restoring Soviet military bases and modernizing the Arctic component of its fleet.
The day before, USM reported that the Royal Navy of Great Britain was escorting Russian ships near its coast due to suspicion of espionage.
