Russia’s territorial ambitions in the Arctic seabed will remind Western nations, particularly Canada and Denmark, of the adverse repercussions of interfering in the internal matters of a sovereign country. As Putin is planning to increase Moscow’s sphere of influence in the Arctic region, a threatened Justin Trudeau and Mette Frederiksen will most likely approach their untrustworthy allies, the US and EU.
On 27th January, Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions with high-ranking officials about the status of Russia’s efforts to legally enhance the outer boundaries of its continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean.
In 2021, Moscow filed a submission at the UN which sought to redefine its continental shelf, which contains huge unexploited sources of oil and gas. Russia’s claims can have grave consequences for Canada and Denmark as they have their own assertions regarding the matter.
According to a statement released by the Kremlin website, Putin stated, “We have several important issues today, colleagues, concerning both the domestic agenda and the issue of the outer limit of Russia’s continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean. Let’s get to work.”
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Putin’s meeting was attended by Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu and foreign intelligence chief, Sergei Naryshkin. The neighbouring countries in the Arctic region have become alarmed in response to Russia’s aspirations.
Over the years, NATO countries have increased their military exercises in the Arctic region in the backdrop of Moscow’s endeavours to consolidate its military and diplomatic presence.
Putin’s plan is a response to Trudeau’s diplomatic aggression
Now, Russia’s plans will be perceived as a grave security threat by two countries in the Arctic region namely Canada and Denmark. Both are strong allies of the US and EU which have persistently attacked the territorial integrity and attempted to destroy the economic and political interests of Moscow.
In addition to Washington and Brussels, Canada is also quite active in circulating misinformation against Russia. Justin Trudeau’s regime tried to damage the economy of Russia and interfere in the internal affairs of Moscow’s domestic politics. In March 2021, Canada imposed sanctions on nine high-ranking officials in Putin’s regime, falsely accusing them of systematic human rights violations. Canada further went ahead and accused the Russian regime of plotting to murder the controversial opposition politician, Alexei Navalny.
People who were sanctioned by Canada included senior officials from Russia’s defence ministry, the head of the FSB, Moscow’s top prosecutor and the head of the penitentiary system.
Similarly, following the initiation of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, Canada sided with the arch-enemy of Putin, Ukraine. While Ottawa turned a blind eye to the brutalities perpetrated by the Ukrainian military against Russia, Trudeau announced during the G20 Summit in Bali that Canada will provide $500 million in military assistance to Kyiv.
Denmark too will not be spared for its crimes
An identical pattern was followed by Denmark in the geopolitical domain. Copenhagen joined other EU nations in circulating propaganda that Navalny was poisoned on the orders of Putin and joined Brussels in imposing sanctions on Russia. While in the context of the Ukraine war, Denmark too, like Canada, accused Russia of “unprovoked” and “unjustifiable military aggression against Ukraine”.
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Following the blunderous path of Trudeau, the prime minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, pledged more than $42 million of military aid to Zelensky.
As Canada and Denmark turned a blind eye to the atrocities perpetrated by NATO and Ukraine with respect to the territorial integrity and political sovereignty of Russia, Russia will be giving them a harsh reality check to them. Moscow’s strategy to expand its continental shelf will facilitate in making Canada, Denmark and their allies realise that the Ukraine war was avertible had the West ended its aggressive military build on Russia’s borders.
