Russia wants to strengthen its positions in the Arctic

Russia wants to strengthen its positions economically and militarily in the Arctic, according to a new Russian naval doctrine signed by Vladimir Putin on Sunday on the occasion of Russian Navy Day.

The Arctic is being “transformed into a region of international competition not only from an economic point of view, but also from a military point of view,” states the doctrine, signed with great fanfare against the backdrop of a naval parade in St. Petersburg (Northwest).

Considering these factors, Russia will strengthen its “leading positions in the exploration and conquest of the Arctic” and its mineral deposits and ensure its “strategic stability” in the region by strengthening the military capability of the Russian fleets in the North and the Pacific. Specifies the document.

In the Arctic, the country wants to “completely improve the Northern Sea Route”, also known as the Northeast Corridor connecting Europe along the Russian coast to Asia, to make it “safe and competitive year-round operation”. According to the theory.

The 55-page document condemns the US desire to “dominate the world’s waters” and the “access of NATO’s military infrastructure to Russian borders”, describing these events as “major threats” to Russia.

Moscow views the Atlantic alliance, an old enemy of the Cold War, as an existential threat and has justified its attack on Ukraine.