Putin proposes nature preserves to protect the Arctic

At the international forum The Arctic – Territory of Dialogue, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin spoke about the importance of preserving the unique environment of the region and denied rumors of an impending “battle” for mineral resources in the Arctic. Putin noted that such predictions are designed to provoke disputes between Arctic nations and then “fish in troubled waters.”

The Russian government intends to establish national parks and reserves in the Arctic. There are also plans to remove the waste that has accumulated there over many decades. As the prime minister said, “An irresponsible attitude towards the Arctic could spell global problems, rather than global advantages, in the near future.”