Russia focused on ‘significant’ expansion of continental shelf in Arctic: Putin – National | globalnews.ca

President Vladimir Putin held talks with top security officials on Friday about the situation of Russia efforts to legally expand its outer limits Continental shelf in Arctic Ocean.

Russia filed a submission to the United Nations in 2021 seeking to redefine its continental shelf, which is believed to contain vast untapped reservoirs of oil and gas. Moscow said at the time it wanted more Arctic seabed, a move that has implications for Canada and Denmark, which have their own claims.

A continental shelf is defined under international law as an area of ​​shallow water generally bordering a country’s coastline, which is considered an extension of its territory, allowing the country to Allows the exploitation of natural resources.

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patrolling the arctic

“We have many important issues today, colleagues, related to both the domestic agenda and the issue of the outer limit of Russia’s continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean. Let’s get to work, ”the Kremlin website quoted Putin as saying.

The Kremlin did not immediately provide further details about the meeting, which followed This week Canada, the US and other countries have pledged to provide tanks to UkraineBecause Russia’s invasion of the country is nearing the one year mark.

It was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Intelligence Chief Sergei Naryshkin.

Russia’s neighbors in the Arctic have grown increasingly concerned about Moscow’s ambitions in the strategically important region since it sent thousands of troops to Ukraine in February last year.

NATO member states have increased Arctic military exercises in recent years, as Russia has expanded and modernized its military infrastructure in the region.

– Reporting by Caleb Davis and Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Andrew Osborne. With a file from Global News.

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