President of Russia Vladimir Putin held talks today with high-ranking representatives of law enforcement agencies on the progress of Russia’s efforts to legally expand the outer boundaries of its continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean.

In 2021, Russia submitted an application to the UN to review its continental shelf, which is estimated to include vast untapped oil and gas fields. At the time, Moscow said it wanted much more of the Arctic seabed, a move that had repercussions for Canada and Denmark, which have their own claims.

The continental shelf is defined under international law as an area of ​​usually shallow water bordering a country’s coastline, which is considered an extension of its territory, giving the country the right to use its natural resources.

“Today we have many important issues, colleagues, concerning both the domestic agenda and the issue of the outer border of the Russian continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean. Let’s get to work,” Putin said, according to the Kremlin’s website.

The Kremlin did not immediately release details of the meeting, which was attended by several senior officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryskin.

Russia’s Arctic neighbors have been particularly concerned about Moscow’s ambitions in the strategically important region, as it sent tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine last February.

NATO members have stepped up military exercises in the Arctic in recent years as Russia expanded and upgraded its military infrastructure in the region.

Source: APE-MPE-Reuters