Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for increased usage of Arctic sea routes and suggested that the region should be a key focus for international development. At the 5th International Arctic Forum in St. Petersburg, President Putin asked for an international effort to build up the Northern Sea Route for cargo shipping. Climate shifts have enabled maritime traffic to more easily pass through the Arctic, and Russia intends to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Russia has been preparing for an increased presence in the Arctic for years. It has stepped up arctic weather training for certain military units and it maintains the largest flight of icebreaker ships of any country on earth.
