Russia's new aggressive stance linked to oil claims?

[wellard]

I have been watching the Russian leader Vladamir Putin take on an increasingly aggressive stance these last couple of years (any one else notice) and had just dismissed it as the cries of a country just wanting the attention and respect it used to have, until I read this recent article from the BBC.

"A Russian expedition has proved that a ridge of mountains below the Arctic Ocean is part of Russia's continental shelf, government officials have said. The August expedition planted the Russian flag on the seabed below the North Pole and gathered soil samples. The Arctic is thought to be rich in oil, gas and mineral reserves."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7005483.stm

With recent testing the new 'super bomb' and the return to flying nuclear armed bombers towards the British borders I'm guessing that this will all play out to the scenario of Russia claiming massive oil reserves and saying "F*** You try and stop us" to any united nations complaints that the Artic is out of bounds.

Anybody else got thoughts on this or is it me being crazy

[Thoran]

They definitely know that any clout they currently have on the world stage is due more to their natural resources than anything else. I imagine they're just trying to insure the gravy train continues.

Canada and a number of other arctic bordering countries may beg to differ though. I expect we'll see a free for all once they can actually get in there and drill.

[wellard]

The bottom line is if they start pumping out the oil who is going to stop them? A strongly worded letter from the USA or Canada or the UN is not going to stop them securing an oil lifeline for themselves. And if some other country starts drilling on 'their claim' what then?

[johnny]

I don't think oil is to blaim for their actions, i simply believe the Russians miss a few chromosomes, call it a malfunction at birth if you will.

[pritchke]

The North Pole is below the Canadian border. The Russians will most likely to get Denmark to support them.

Yes I heard about this story earlier. The PM actually talked to him and he said something like they were just exploring and the flag is not meant to be a claim. Time to go through with the artic navel base that the PM has proposed as the world thinks we are pussies and even Denmark is trying to push us around.

[Thoran]

It's going to be the wild west up there for a while... until all this gets sorted out.

Looks to me like Greenland is the closest large land mass to the north pole (450 miles), although the Russians have a HUGE amount of coast bordering the arctic sea.

[wellard]

Originally Posted by Thoran It's going to be the wild west up there for a while... until all this gets sorted out. Looks to me like Greenland is the closest large land mass to the north pole (450 miles), although the Russians have a HUGE amount of coast bordering the arctic sea.

You are Right Thoran and as Greenland is part of Denmark I guess they are going to have something to say about what Russia are doing.