Russia will pour resources into Arctic, Putin says

President Vladimir Putin says Russia will pour resources into thedevelopment of its vast Arctic region for both economic and militaryreasons.

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Speaking in a live call-in show Thursday, Putin said the Arcticregion will account for an increasing share of energy output anddetermine the nation's future.

Putin added that a military presence in the Arctic region is alsoessential for ensuring Russia's security.

The Kremlin has highlighted reaffirming the Russian presence inthe Arctic as a top priority amid an intensifying rivalry over theregion that is believed to hold up to one-quarter of the planet'sundiscovered oil and gas.

Russia, the United States, Canada, Denmark and Norway have allbeen trying to assert jurisdiction over parts of the Arctic asshrinking polar ice creates new opportunities for exploration.