Russian President Threatens Arctic Annexation

MOSCOW — Russia's long-term development and its competitiveness in global markets depends on developing Arctic resources, President Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday, demanding that Russia mark its Arctic territory so it can claim a large share of the region's mineral resources.

Telling his Security Council that the Arctic is "strategically important," Medvedev urged a speedy passage of a law to determine Russia's southern Arctic zone and added that "marking of the external border of the continental shelf is a long-term goal."

Russian oil firms have recently started posting declines in production as onshore oil and gas fields are getting depleted. The Arctic continental shelf, meanwhile, may contain up to one-fourth of the world's undiscovered oil and gas, according to estimates by energy experts.

"The use of these energy reserves is a safeguard for Russia's energy security," Medvedev said. "It is our duty to our descendants, we have to ensure the long-term national interests of Russia in the Arctic."

Russia, the United States, Canada and other northern countries are trying to assert jurisdiction over the Arctic, whose oil, gas and minerals until recently have been considered too difficult to recover. The dispute over who controls what has become more heated with growing evidence that global warming is shrinking polar ice, opening up new shipping lanes and resource development possibilities.

Already, some 20 percent of Russia's GDP and 22 percent of its exports are produced in the Arctic.

Russian Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev told reporters after Wednesday's meeting that Russia realizes other Arctic nations may oppose its expanding influence in the region.

"We must defend our interests, but we understand that Arctic states such as Canada, Norway, Denmark and the United States will be defending their interests," Patrushev said.

Moscow last year sent two mini-submarines to plant a Russian flag on the seabed under the North Pole and take soil core samples. Russian officials said preliminary results on the samples show that the 1,240-mile (2,000-kilometer) Lomonosov Ridge under the Arctic is part of Russia's continental shelf.

Other nations have made rival claims _ and more geological tests are planned by both Russia and others.

Comments

[Osprey3]

This issue, and its underlying potential for war and/or an ecological catastrophe, underscores the need for this Nation to get off of imported oil within ten years. In the current Presidential race, only Obama has pushed a plan to do just that. McCain/Palin and their supporters are advocating:"drill baby, drill!" This “plan” may have made sense in the 19th & 20th centuries, but is simply folly in the 21st century. Voters: Please start thinking about what kind of Country (and world) we want to hand off to the next generation!

[grizhead63]

New Headline:

Alaskan Governor Threatens Extinction

[srelu]

I can't get the title, it suggest that the Russians are the only ones who want to take their share from the Arctic. In the USA, the Arctic drilling is even an important election issue. Canada is also actively pursuing its extension toward the North Pole. Why do you single out Russia in this race ?

On the other hand an ocean is supposed to have an international status (except the teritorial waters). Everybody should have access there.

What would you say if India would consider the Indian ocean as theirs?
Shouid the Pacific be shared between USA, Canada, Australia and Japan ?
We can find owners for every ocean.

Will we see a new wave of colonization with the big powers grabbing everything ? What the f**k are doing the UN ? They're sleeping. As usual.

[ToonMoene]

I fail to see why this is so hard. Great Britain, Norway and the Netherlands have carved up the North Sea for oil drilling.

As far as I know (I'm 51) this hasn't lead to the fifth Anglo-Dutch war, or even a 20th century Viking raid on the British and Dutch shores.

[libsRchildren]

Russia is going to annex the arctic. Hmmmm. They're gonna to seize an ocean. Yeah. Good luck with that, Pute! Please do let me know how that works for you.

[Steamboater]

This is what happens when you lose eastern europe I suppose. The artic belongs to no one really and you can't depend on the Russians to safegurad the environment there. The yhave one of the worst pollution problems in their own country. Think back about that nuclear reactor that poisoned Russian soil for centuries to come and the Russians want the Artic now?

[MBryant]

Could they annex Alaska instead and take Sarah Palin off of our hands?

[wagadog]

Well, what's Sarah doing about this anyway?

Isn't she the one that can See Russia From Her House?

Reminds me of Yertle the Turtle...

"Hooray!" shouted Yertle. "I'm the king of the trees!

I'm king of the birds! And I'm king of the bees!

I'm king of the butterflies! King of the air!

Ah, me! What a throne! What a wonderful chair!

I'm Yertle the Turtle! Oh, marvelous me!

For I am the ruler of all that I see!"

[Beachrunner]

When Obama's President, he'll talk him out of it.

And thanks, Arianna, for the link to the "Russian Babes Hot For YOU!" link!

[iranter]

i got some ice in my fridge. anyone want to bid?

[JPHR]

The title of this post is the ultimate bullshit, could have been written by the NEOCOn minister for propaganda.
Medvedev simply wants to enter into negotiations to determine the exact borders. So he extends an invitation to the countries involved. That the normal procedure for carving up continental shelf outside the national waters. Excatly the same procedure was followed for the North Sea between France, UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway and Danmark
It is also in line with Putin's plea for more respect for international law and international institutions.

[libsRchildren]

An Putin just wanted to discuss things when he attacked tiny Georgia. "Mikheil Saakashvili, please to ignore the barrel of the tank pointing at your face, let's talk"

[cardineau]

It's excusable for young inexperienced people to swallow the Republican line of propaganda about the Georgian/Russian conflict, but if you are older and wiser, you can sort out the chaff from the facts. This comment reminds me of the old adage " With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone"

[darthdarcy]

Let's not forget Howard Hughes favorite film...

Ice Station Zebra..!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Station_Zebra

[quadman]

What the Russians are seeking is to increase their energy rights in the Arctic to include the Lomonosov Ridge, which runs undersea from the Siberian Islands to Ellsmere Island in Canada. Their claim therefore includes the majority of sea floor in the Arctic. Russia's economy is heavily dependant on energy and therefore they are seeking to procure as much of it for themselves as they can. Medvedev has also stated that this is critical to Russia's security. The Lomonosov Ridge claim is dubious but Russia is being adamant about it. I would be keeping my eyes on this for sure.

[andhakari]

Norway will kick their ass.

[srelu]

That's not a joke, Norway is a member of NATO. Such an action cold trigger WWIII.

[libsRchildren]

Sensible comments., but I'd replace the word "procure" with "overrun". Folks, please don't judge others by your own beliefs and feelings, look at their actions, then decide.

[enilorac]

If McCain and Palin get elected, the stability of our United States, will fall down even further, with a continuation of the same old Bush crowd in power.
If Palin become President, she would be so incapable in Foreign Affairs, that I see the possibility that Russia would cross the Bering Sea ----- its just a quick boat ride--- and walk in and take over Alaska.
Anything is possible, when we have such reckless, idiotic people potentially in power again.
She knows zip zip about international relations,let alone domestic policies beyond pork and barrel used for a State that is the most under populated place on earth.
The Russians could easily walk in, if our government is otherwise pre-occupied with all the right wing nutty concerns and bellicose beliefs Palin is concerned with,. This woman believes the Rapture will come in Alaska. Uuuuum. Russian rapture, unless we watch out and take care to make sure Palin stays up there in Alaska and not in Washington.

[libsRchildren]

Wow. Could you be anymore uneducated and out of touch? Was gonna argue against ALL you silly comments but you're not worth my time. Try turning off the TV and read some more. From both sides of the aisle.

[MagisterLudi]

eh, people, read the article NOT usually laughably misleading Huffpo headlines.

[barackobama4prez]

what will sarah say?

[sueno]

This is a serious sign, not since the cold war has Russia decided to play games.
They think that we are really weakened by all that is happening to us.
Put it this way, we are back at war with Russia-
The "new" cold war has started again. Back in the 80's Russia wouldn't dare do something like this.
This is something we must keep an eye on.

[Kassandra]

"Back in the 80's Russia" The Arctic was still covered with ice, so they couldn't have done this.

I guess you live on a different planet than I do, because we ARE seriously weakened right now and, perhaps, into the foreseeable future. Thanks to the Neo-Cons.

[chebontenitkee]

Tread carefully, all. Our military is depleted from 5+ years in Iraq/Afghanistan. Our only deterrent to Russian aggression is global thermonuclear war. Barack will be forced into a Kennedy moment early on (BTW I am an Obama supporter). We must pray that BO is elected, because I fear that McC does not have the temperament to play the game. He'll just burn 'em (and us too).

[princessofnowt]

oh yes, they pretty much see us as weakened alright.
and they are looking forward to our status as the worlds confirmed village idiots if Palin gets in (as she herself put it earlier- the Palin-McCain administration.

Here is what Pravda has to say about their neighbor-w­ould-be-ve­ep:

http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/12-09-2008/106354-palindevil-0

( you'll laugh, you'll cry, 100% worth reading)

[libsRchildren]

Why would you care what Pravda has to say, it's not a free press over there anymore, it's a mouthpiece for Putin. What's going through his mind I'd wager is his concern with our STRENGTH, not weakness. We have massed armies in the Mid East, several fleets in the area, very seasoned warriors, tried and tested command structure/strategy. Putin is doing what a dog does when a bigger dog approaches; he sticks his head up, chest out, tries to look bigger than he is. It's a fear tactic.
People, if you've been reading about Russia you'll know that they aren't anywhere near the military power they once were. Essentially, they're a big, sleazy, oil business with some muscle. GoogleEarth shows their ships rusting in port, their soldiers are not paid regularly, alcoholism is rampant, weapons lacking.