Putin made these remarks aboard the Varyag missile cruiser of the Pacific Fleet, his flagship, which he boarded after visiting Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

The president said, “Russia has always, absolutely always, advocated for cooperation and now reaffirms its willingness to cooperate and take advantage of the Northern Sea Route, of course, within the framework of current international maritime law.”

The head of State indicated that Russia is strengthening its security both in general and in specific regions and is always open to seeking compromises acceptable to all its neighbors and partners, “based on respect for reciprocal interests.”

The Arctic route, also known as the Northern Sea Route, stretches for 5,600 kilometers and is the shortest shipping route between Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

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