Putin gives instructions to ‘protect’ Russia’s interests in the Arctic
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the Defense Ministry and Federal Security Service (FSB) to protect Russia’s national interests in the Arctic, reports RIA Novosti.
“The Defense Ministry, Federal Security Service and its border security should implement their plans to ensure national interests in terms of defense capability, but also to protect our interests in the Arctic, ensuring the normal operation of the northern sea route,” he said during a trip to the archipelago Franz Josef Land.
Putin said that many objectives of the Defense Ministry could be dual purpose. According to him, they should help with performing civil service tasks.
Vladimir Putin also instructed the Defense Ministry and FSB to “protect” Russia’s interests in the Arctic.
Putin was accompanied on the trip by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu, and presidential advisor Sergey Ivanov.
Not long ago, Russia completed the construction of a military runway on the archipelago and announced plans to establish a military base there.