visit to island chain

Competition for the Arctic's natural resources is increasing as melting polar ice allows more of the region to be explored.

13:11, UK, Thursday 30 March 2017
Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev visit the cave of Arctic Pilots Glacier
Image: Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev visit the cave of Arctic Pilots Glacier

Vladimir Putin has visited a chain of Arctic islands as part of Russia’s efforts to reaffirm its hold on the oil-rich region.

The Russian President arrived for the tour of the Franz Josef Land archipelago with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Speaking during the visit, he said: "Natural resources, which are of paramount importance for the Russian economy, are concentrated in this region."

The Arctic is thought to hold one-quarter of the planet's undiscovered oil and gas and is the subject of increasing rivalry between countries as the melting of the polar ice caps open up more of the region for exploration.

Russian President Putin and Defence Minister Shoigu visit cave of Arctic Pilots Glacier

Russian President Putin visits cave of Arctic Pilots Glacier in Alexandra Land in remote Arctic islands of Franz Josef Land

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Arctic Pilots Glacier in Alexandra Land on the remote Arctic islands of Franz Josef Land

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu

Russian President Putin and PM Medvedev visit "Omega" field base in Russian Arctic National Park in Alexandra Land

Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the cave of Arctic Pilots Glacier

Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev visit the cave of Arctic Pilots Glacier

Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the cave of Arctic Pilots Glacier in Alexandra Land in remote Arctic islands of Franz Josef Land, Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visit Alexandra Land

Russian President Putin and Defence Minister Shoigu visit cave of Arctic Pilots Glacier

Russian President Putin visits cave of Arctic Pilots Glacier in Alexandra Land in remote Arctic islands of Franz Josef Land

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The United States, Canada, Denmark and Norway have also tried to assert their claim over parts of the Arctic.

Mr Putin said current estimates suggest the value of the Arctic's mineral riches could be as much as $30 trillion and that protecting Russia's economic and security interests in the region were a priority.

He said Russia has remained open to a "broad partnership with other nations to carry out mutually beneficial projects in tapping natural resources, developing global transport corridors and also in science and environment protection".

The Russian military has recently built a new runway on the archipelago and has been working to establish a permanent base there.

In 2015 the country submitted a revised bid for part of the Arctic to the United Nations, claiming over 463,000 square miles of sea shelf extending 350 nautical miles from the shore.