Putin Invites Interested Countries to Participate in Development of the NSR

The Northern Sea Route was a central topic when Russia’s President Vladimir Putin gave a speech in Beijing on Wednesday.

“As for the Northern Sea Route, Russia offered its partners the opportunity to actively use its transit potential. More than that, we are inviting all interested countries to get directly involved in its development, and we are ready to provide reliable icebreaker escort, communications and supplies,” Putin said at the opening of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

“As soon as next year, navigation for ice-class vessels along the entire length of the Northern Sea Route will become possible all year round,” he added.

The Northern Sea Route stretches over 5,600 kilometers from the Kara Sea to the Bering Strait and includes around 50 ports.

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