Putin says Russia must strengthen its economic, military position in Arctic

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the all-Russian youth forum Seliger, held in Tver region, Russia August 29, 2014. REUTERS/Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA Novosti/Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the all-Russian youth forum Seliger, held in Tver region, Russia August 29, 2014. REUTERS/Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA Novosti/Kremlin

(Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Moscow had to strengthen its position, economically and militarily, in the resource rich Arctic region, where other countries are vying for influence.

“Our interests are concentrated in the Arctic. And of course we should pay more attention to issues of development of the Arctic and the strengthening of our position (there),” Putin told a youth camp outside Moscow, enumerating military and economic plans for Russia’s Arctic.