Why is the Arctic Important for Russia?

Despite rounds of sanctions imposed by the West, Russia continues search for alternative ways of economic development, Spanish daily newspaper ABC wrote.

On the one hand, the Kremlin is trying to strengthen its ties with strategic partners, in particular, with Venezuela; while on the other hand, Russia is searching for deposits of energy sources throughout its vast territory.

Russia also is active in the Arctic, where, along with seven other countries — Canada, Denmark, Norway, the United States, Sweden, Finland — it is exploring mineral resources on the seabed.

"The Arctic is a Russian Mecca," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin wrote via Twitter after a visit to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. According to BBC Mundo, this statement is a declaration of Russia's intention related to the region.

In order to overcome current economic difficulties, Russia is looking for new deposits of oil and minerals. According to Oro y Finanzas, as part of these efforts, Moscow plans to increase its military presence in the Arctic region.

At least 25 percent of the world oil and gas reserves hidden under the icy water are concentrated in the Arctic.

Taking into account a constant snowmelt, Moscow is seeking to strengthen its position politically and economically in much more quiet region than the boiling Middle East.