The potential strengthening of the US presence in the Arctic, in particular in Greenland, requires for Russia to carefully monitor the situation and diligently guard the northern border in order to preserve its national interests, said Vladimir Chizhov, first deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security.
"Our national interests require, firstly, close monitoring of the situation in the Arctic, monitoring the practical actions of other countries, the United States is one of them. They also require effective protection of our northern state border, which runs along the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Yes, for now everything is covered with ice, but it's probably a matter of time," Rossiya 24 television channel quotes Chizhov as saying.
He believes that the Northern Sea Route can become navigable all year round. Russia needs to prepare for this: "It will require considerable investments and resources, including military-technical, financial and human resources."
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
