The exploration and development of the Russian Arctic should be a systemic process heeding current risks and threats, Russian Presidential Aide – Chairman of the Maritime Board Nikolai Patrushev said at a meeting on the development of the seaports of Dikson and Dudinka in the Russian Arctic, as well as inland waterways.

Acting in line with instructions from Russian President Vladimir Putin (following his working trip to Murmansk in March 2025), the Government will be expected to draft proposals on updating the Strategy for the Development of the Russian Arctic and ensuring national security, as well as proposals on the comprehensive development of the Arctic region, Patrushev noted.

“Obviously, the exploration and development of the Russian Arctic which differs considerably from the rest of the country’s territory should be a systemic process heeding current risks and threats. A comprehensive project for the development of the Russian Arctic zone aiming to join the development of Arctic resources and spaces, including high-seas areas, should facilitate the interlinked implementation of Russian priorities and national interests in the Arctic,” the Chairman of the Maritime Board noted.

According to Patrushev, the achievement of strategic goals of developing the Russian Arctic zone and the formulation of its comprehensive development project should hinge on the region’s spatial-economic model with such key elements as natural production forces, the energy and transport infrastructure.

Patrushev also emphasized the fact that the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor project was called on to facilitate the comprehensive development of the Arctic in line with its historic designation.

“In conditions of growing geopolitical tensions and confrontation with countries of the collective West, Russia attaches special significance to ensuring unimpeded access to the world’s oceans. With this in mind, it is necessary to strengthen the national transport framing and to forge a seamless transport system by ensuring the interconnected and uninterrupted operation of merchant marine, railway, automobile and inland water transport components,” Patrushev said.

According to Patrushev, the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor should become a transport corridor facilitating safe navigation and guaranteed access to countries with whom Russia is actively developing commercial ties.

“Countries that remain friendly to Russia display substantial interest in expanding traffic via this Arctic route. For example, China actively invests in expanded Arctic freight traffic. India is studying the possibility of aligning the Vladivostok – Chennai high-seas corridor with a project stipulating international container transits via the Northern Sea Route, part of the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor,” the Presidential Aide noted.