Russian Expedition to the North Pole and Energy Policy: Is There Any Link?
Russian Expedition to the North Pole and Energy Policy: Is There Any Link?

Summary/Abstract: In August 2007, Russian expedition conducted a study on the bottom of the North Arctic Ocean near the North Pole. The outcome of the expedition was locating the Russian flag, made of titanium at a depth of 4 km. After this unusual expedition, Russia intended to achieve several goals simultaneously. First, to show the world that Russia has been able to rebuild its strength after the collapse of the Soviet Union and its economy is now able to conduct such a costly study. A second important reason is the desire of Russia to prove ownership of the sector to its Arctic territories. According to the Russian view, in the northern archipelago Lomonosov is a natural continuation of the Russian mainland. In 2001, Russia had applied to the UN for the recognition of the sector North Arctic Ocean as Russian territory. But UN insufficient evidence rejected this claim. As a result of that Russian cruise on the ocean bottom.

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