Russian ‘Independence’ Depends On Arctic ‘Battle For Resources’ – Deputy PM

(RIA Novosti- Moscow, 4 December) By the middle of the 21st century, Russia may lose its sovereignty unless it today clearly identifies its national interests in the Arctic region, Russian Federation Deputy Prime Minister Dmitriy Rogozin said on Tuesday (4 December).

“It is extremely important that we place the markers, it is extremely important that we mark the perimeter of our national interests in that region. If we do not do that, we will lose the battle for resources and thus lose the great battle for the right to have our own sovereignty and independence,” he said at a meeting of the Maritime Board in Moscow.

Rogozin said that towards the middle of the 21st century the battle for natural resources will acquire “completely uncivilized forms”. He recalled that during the period he worked as Russia’s permanent representative to NATO, the theme of the Arctic was heard at almost every event held by that organization.

“This was the ultimate purpose of a lot of scientific research which justified certain conclusions about the climate changing so fast that the ice was about to melt and the Northern Sea Route thus being absolutely free for navigation,” the deputy prime minister said. In his words, this means that the alliance will be obliged to send its ships to this area, ostensibly to support civilian shipping.

“It is quite clear what is behind that. This is an attempt to break the international formats that support cooperation and security in the Arctic region. On the other hand, this is clear evidence of the magnetism of the Arctic region,” the Russian deputy prime minister added.

He recalled that Russian companies and extractive industries account for almost 60 per cent of the added value in that region. “By comparison, (the combined share of) Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland (is) no more than 15 per cent, while Alaska and the Canadian Arctic (account for) about 30 per cent. Two-thirds of the Arctic’s combined wealth is created in Russia,” he said.

Earlier, senior representatives of the General Staff and the Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation spoke of the danger of NATO ships equipped with the Aegis system, which is the naval component of the missile defence system, entering the northern seas bordering Russia.

(Passage omitted: background)