Russia Sets Sights on , Expanding Arctic Territory .<br />'Newsweek' reports that Russia is planning to continue <br />expanding into the Arctic amid what Moscow <br />perceives as growing Western threats in the region.<br />'Newsweek' reports that Russia is planning to continue <br />expanding into the Arctic amid what Moscow <br />perceives as growing Western threats in the region.<br />While no country can lay claim to the geographic <br />North Pole or the Arctic Ocean, <br />the territory is divided into eight Arctic states. .<br />These territories are limited to a 200 nautical <br />mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). .<br />In 2001, Russia made its first bid to expand its Arctic <br />territory, but the push was rejected by the United <br />Nation's Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.<br />In 2001, Russia made its first bid to expand its Arctic <br />territory, but the push was rejected by the United <br />Nation's Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.<br />The push to tap into gas and oil reservoirs <br />in the Arctic seabed was resubmitted <br />by Russia in 2015 and again in 2021.<br />According to Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, Russia's push <br />to expand its Arctic territory comes as a result of , "the expansion of NATO and the aggressive <br />policy of the collective West towards Russia.".<br />'Newsweek' reports that Russia's war <br />in Ukraine has deteriorated ties <br />between Russia and the West. .<br />Now, that tension threatens to spill over into <br />the Arctic region, where the U.S. held cold <br />weather military drills in February of this year.<br />Now, that tension threatens to spill over into <br />the Arctic region, where the U.S. held cold <br />weather military drills in February of this year.<br />In October of 2022, the U.S. government's <br />Arctic strategy said that was had , "raised geopolitical tensions in the Arctic.".<br />In October of 2022, the U.S. government's <br />Arctic strategy said that was had , "raised geopolitical tensions in the Arctic.".<br />According to Yevmenov, the Arctic region is critical for <br />Russia's national security as there has been "an increase in the <br />foreign military presence" amid competition for resources. .<br />According to Yevmenov, the Arctic region is critical for <br />Russia's national security as there has been "an increase in the <br />foreign military presence" amid competition for resources.
