Vladimir Putin: The Arctic is the most important region, which will provide future of Russia

Russia will strengthen its positions in the Arctic. The President of Russia Vladimir Putin said about it within the live television call-in show, answering a question of an employee of the Baltic Shipyard (Baltiysky Zavod) in St. Petersburg. The shipyard is completing construction of the nuclear-powered icebreaker “Arktika” — the largest and the most powerful in the world.

The employee of the enterprise asked about the fate of the shipyard in the context of development of the Arctic shelf, if there are any plans on modernization. As Vladimir Putin says, the Baltic Shipyard is one of the leaders in shipbuilding. He is sure that the company will develop, because Russia continues construction of icebreakers.
As the head of state reminds, the country has unique icebreakers — there are no analogues anywhere else in the world. According to him, in the future it is planned to build more powerful icebreakers “Leader” with use of the latest technologies that will allow breaking the ice without limitations, as TASS reports. Two serial ships “Sibir” (“Siberia”) and “Ural” are planned in addition to “Arktika”. Thus, it will be enough work for employees of the shipyard, including due to the necessity of the Arctic exploration, and the collective will stay and also will develop.
Vladimir Putin called the Arctic as the most important region, which will ensure the welfare of the country. As he reminds, Lomonosov said like this about Siberia. The President underlines that production of hydrocarbons was started in the Arctic. “The Arctic is the most important region, which will ensure the future of our Russia. By 2050 about thirty percent of all hydrocarbons will be extracted in the Arctic”, as he said, adding that the power of Russia in future will grow due to this region. The largest Russian projects will be fulfilled exactly here; the Northern Sea Route will be used more intensively. If the global warming continues, the navigation time will increase. Probably, it will make 4-5 months.
The head of the state notes that Russia will ensure its priority in the Arctic. He declares that Moscow is open to cooperation on these areas even with non-regional powers.