"To conduct a trip of 50 Let Pobedy nuclear-powered icebreaker from the port of Anadyr to the port of Pevek on August 29 — September 2. During the icebreaker's trip to hold an international conference 'Through the Northeast Passage to the strategic stability and equal partnership in the Arctic region' with the participation of the Arctic Council member states, observer states within the council and the representatives of the scientific community at the nuclear-powered icebreaker," the decree published on Russia's legal information website said.
According to the decree, Putin ordered foreign and interior ministries among others, as well as Federal Security Service and Russian Academy of Sciences to participate in the organization of the conference.
In 2013, Moscow announced a strategy to increase its presence in the Arctic and to boost the region's development by 2020. In 2015, Putin approved a revised maritime doctrine prioritizing the protection of national interests in the Arctic, which also stipulates maintaining Russia's leading position in the region's development.
The Arctic is considered a major source of hydrocarbons, minerals, fresh water and fish. The region's resources are a matter of interest for states bordering the area as well as Arctic Council members, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States.
