MOSCOW (Reuters) – Geopolitical rivalries are intensifying in the Arctic, but cooperation in the region is possible, including between Moscow and Western states, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
Putin, who is keen to ramp up commerce via the Northern Sea Route through Arctic waters as Russia shifts trade towards Asia and away from Europe because of Western sanctions, said Russia had never threatened anyone in the Arctic, but was prepared to defend its interests.
(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Maxim Rodionov; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
