The President of Russia Vladimir Putin said in its address to the Federal Assembly that Russia is planning to expand its presence in the Arctic. In order for this to happen, the Northern Sea Route will play an important role.
As Mr. Putin said:
The Northern Sea Route will be the key to developing the Russian Arctic and Far East. By 2025, cargo traffic along this route will surge tenfold to 80 million tonnes.
Moreover, Russia plans to develop the Arctic as well. With a number of large-scale industrial projects, the country will try to improve transport, navigation and research, as it considers the Arctic to be key to its development.
Under this, the Russian President noted that:
Russia builds cutting-edge nuclear icebreakers. We have had the most powerful icebreaker fleet in the world, and this will remain so.
Mr. Putin noted that Russia wants this area to be more populated. For this reason, Russia will continue its policy to attract investment and create social and economic growth centres in Russia’s Far East, in order to create a more sustainable living environment.
