Some thought the cold war was over . LOL

aaa, ottawa,

Gareth, UK, UK,

I don't think that ist is she who is drunk.


Do you know who invented nuclear fusion device? USSR, about 10 years before west did.

who invented nuclear reactor? West?

Russia is leading research in alternative energy sources, US and Uk are FAR behind.

After therewis no oil, everyone will depend on Russia EVEN MORE. So, UK and US will likely simply forget about their interests and be fighting on how to survive.

Pavel Golikov, Vladivostok, Russia

LOL, Russia opposed by all those countries? And how many nuclear icebreakers (the only GUARANTEED path to the north pole) do these countries have combined?

NONE.

Russia has 5, each having roughly 75,000 horse powers. Arctica class ships.
End of discussion.
And look at western media crying about it, they know they have no capabilities whatsoever, while Russia has everything required.

More oil for Russia, better life for russian people (I live in Russia, so, please, don't start this Putin is bad bull, he is awesome president)

Thank you.

Pavel Golikov, Vladivostok, Russia

Anyone ever seen the great movie Red Dawn, sounds like it might actually happen cept in Canada instead of the States

JG, Victoria, BC Canada

Russa Owns nothing we give them money all the time we own half that cooled ass place. This could start a 2 cooled a
war that russa can't afford nor use

pete, winson, oregon

I see alot of people arguing over which single nation should have ownership of these resources. Can they not be shared?

Peter, Ontario, Canada

Almost all news stories on this topic have erroneously referred to the International Seabed Authority as "administering" the Arctic. The Authority is solely concerned with regulating deep-seabed mineral resources in the ocean beyond national jurisdiction. However, as nobody has sought to prospect in the deep Arctic Ocean, it has never occupied itself with this area. Further, it has no say whatsoever in determining maritime boundaries; that is the function of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, another body established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This is the organ dealing with the Russian claim.

Frank Barab as, Corona, New York, USA

Very interesting discussion. I see all this - some don't like, some like what is going on, i see people discussing who will spend the oil which funds on earth are only for 40-50 years, it is so little that one life could pass and if to try - even twice

Denis, 23, Moscow, Russia

let russa have the north pole well be out of iraq soon and be back stronger then ever

Joseph, new york,

to "Linda Dial"

Are you so out of touch with Canadian Military spending that you think we could possibly "PUSH BACK" Russia in any way? Do you think a few tubs...I mean ice breakers will be a force in the north to deal with Russia? The ice breakers are simply to show a Canadian presence and that is it. We are in no way equipped to fight a war with anyone.

The only war we are capable of fighting right now is how to pay for continued free health care for the baby boomers - which is costing a whackload! Many of you in Alberta have such an out to lunch right wing view of this country that you seem insane.

DJ Normandeau, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

I wonder why the American media have not picked this story up and run with it?

Doug, Phoenix, AZ, USA

"Russia has always been a basket-case and it's leaders either lunatics, psychotics or drunks."

It's real fool phrase. You're afraid. You can't understand us and our achievements in culture. It's your problems. Hitler wasn't Russian, he was European. Gulag? You have own prototypes to ours. USA and England thought that Russia should divide in few country. It's democracy? US and USSR used to methods are very like. Death penalty is forbidden In Russia.
About Litvinenko. "Clumsy work". We aren't idiots to use that method to murder smb. We can use other methods to gain our aims.
Try to read foreign newspapers and try to think. Your thoughts are products your propaganda.

Andrey, Moscow,

"How come 4300 meters became 1400 ft? You need someone who has done well with A-levels in Maths. -- MK Gorkhali, Delhi, India"

Left out one '0' (14000ft), only a typo error. Nothing to do with intelligence as you sugested. Furthermore its only an approximation, the accurate figure is ( 14 107.6115 feet )

Mohammed, London, UK

Russia is by far the largest country on earth, how much more land do they want? Is there no end to their greed. This country has never really had democracy and is now moving swiftly towards authoritarianism yet again. I'm really worried about this. In particular since I'm from Norway. The people are very , unzivilized and run by the mafia, vodka nationalism (3 things that's enough to describe Russia anno 2007 and you could add HIV) they are a true embarasment to the Nothern hemisphere.

JAn, Oslo, Norway

Better the Russians than the Chinese ty.

due, kelowna, bc

The facts are really quite simple. As oil grows in both demand and in price, there is a major oil grab going on all over the world. The US is securing its oil supplies from Iraq and the rest of the Middle East under the pretense of "Iraqi freedom" and other such nonsense. In the meantime Russia is staking its claim to the Arctic oil fields in the name of science and exploration.

Whoever has the biggest guns wins. Russia is not yet the new USSR, but is does have some pretty damn big guns. Trust me: the new Canadian patrol ships may impress Ottawa, but they are not going to scare the Kremlin. Russia dusted off its forgotten polar explorers and put them back in action. And there is probably a sound scientific basis behind Russia's territorial claims. But even if there wasn't, Russia will still claim the territory and stick to its guns. Just like the USSR did. And there is not a damn thing the West can do about it.

There is no argument against Russia's six thousand nuclear warheads.

Veniamin Nikolayev, Philadelphia, US

Lol, foreign investments in Russia will stop only after all resources are spent. You may wait some time for that.
Anyhow, it is always fun to see British crying foul over someone else's imperialism.

Moler, Vancouver,

Whilst America has taken an inhumane and cowardly path to it's oil problems, by killing hundreds of thousands of unarmed innocent Iraqi/Afghani people and displacing millions to steal their oil. Russia shows the world it's superb exploration skills. Well done Russia!

Mohammed, London, UK

DJ Johnson holed up in Washington spewed this: "They don’t worry about offending anyone and they don’t have all the strict rules governing the environment like the USA does."

What on earth are is he talking about? Trying to be funny? You're not seriously suggesting that the USA worries about offending people or the last time I looked the US hadn't signed Kyoto. Isn’t the US one of the world’s top CO2 emitters? Perhaps second only to China if not number one.

Why shouldn't Russia lay claim to this land? It is not like there are millions of people living there under a sovereign government.

Its not like they are lying and telling the world there is WMDs there and they want to bring democracy to the fish and polar bears.

I mean they could - it would be as plausible as the reasons given for going to Iraq. In fact I would love to see a Putin Powerpoint slideshow in the UN outlining this - it would almost be as funny as Colin Powell's effort.

Telli, London, UK

I won't be holding my breath for Russia to capitalize on this publicity stunt. Russia is incapable of developing the resources it already has. At some point foreign investment in Russia will stop and down the tube it goes...again.

Tom, San Francisco, CA, USA

Having read all comments after a few G & T's, my less than considered opinion is that few western folks are really taking this seriously as Russia is such a basket case that nobody really takes them seriously in any endeavour that requires tenacity exceeding three or four years.

Dave, Toronto, Ontario

Canada does not have the means, and, we all know no matter if it's right or wrong, somebody wants the resources that will come from that land. Russia makes the best case now for a negative wealth, in a world that will eventually change.

But right NOW, we can do our showboat laps around the artic ocean because when it comes to points of international conflict we really have no say, us canadians, we are only level-headed and polite and are also into generalizations

Patrick, Hamilton, Canada

14107.61FT what’s a decimal place or two

The Canadians are going to stop Putin? With what?

Global warming is bad? Sounds to me like the Russian, Europeans, and Canadians are counting on it. And what are they going to do with all that oil. BURN it! Put more carbon in the atmosphere? How do you say hypocrite in Europe and Canada

John Bidmead, Houston, Texas USA

I hope they sell us some oil.

TParker, Gulfport, MS, USA

Thanks to the envirowackos WE can't drill on our own soil, may as well let the Ruskies have it and we can buy from them! Stupid, but so are the Goreites!

petrobuck, cora, wy

All the more reason for the industrialized countries to move to a post-petroleum economy. Let the Arabs and Russians go back to living in huts.

Frederick S, Seattle, USA

"We will get the arctic"? How? You can't drill until you secure the area you want to drill in. Just how do you propose to do that?

"Canada is going to show PUSH BACK..."? Really? Will the world-famous Canadian Navy make a presence? The Canadian Army? Canada's last real contribution was WWII. Don't make boasts without meaning, it makes you look like a clown. And don't even think of negotiation...Russia won't negotiate in good faith with a country it does not fear.

Andrew Whitehead, Stockton, USA/California

I hope the countries involved don't become irrational and childish over the territory. I feel a conflict possibly developing over the underwater resource. Greed will play a role and I fear trouble will be the only outcome of this venture.

ed, Phoenix, USA

Marina, how about your country starting to work with the rest of the world rather than against it?

Pete, Gloucester, UK

pete llewellyn, gloucester, gloucestershire

" I greatly admire Putin for his superb leadership to restore national pride and rebuild our last great European civilisation."

Since when has Russia been a great civilisation? Do you define "great" in terms of the number of people sent to the Gulag, buried with a bullet hole in the back of the head, or murdered with radioactive isotopes? Russia has always been a basket-case and it's leaders either lunatics, psychotics or drunks. Its population is dwindling, it has huge social problems and delusions of granduer based on km2 rather than actual achievements.

This isn't a land grab, it's an oil grab. Russia senses the weakness of the west (particularly the USA) after Iraq and is moving its pawns down the board. However, the west have plenty of counter-play in the form of Capital, which Russia needs if it wants to modernise. I'm sure this will end with a suitable agreement between the 5.

Robinson, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

I support Russia's claim since their country is not run by lazy socialist do gooders, I want Russia's influence to grow.

Daniel K888, Melbourne , Australia

I think they are late. I claimed the Artic territories back in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed.

John, Murmansk,

Its really important that the Russians take and develop the Arctic,because otherwhise itll forever remain a place for squabbling within the so-called Western vested interests and the fruits of the great Arctic shall be gulped down by US and others and never reach the rest of the WORLD!Best Wishes and god bless to the Russians...

vencor, Delhi, Mumbai, pune, kolkata, ,

Marina are you drunk on your Russian vodka, once your energy resources are dry and the wells empty Russia will once again go into decline permanantly this time, and in the process of being an energy Superpower you will have made many enemies, I really doubt that we in the West will allow you to dominate this area of the World not in our intrest it`ll go all the way to war first im sure !!

Gareth, UK, UK

Clive Cussler's latest novel?

CORBI, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

"Russian imperialism - should we expect anything less from the likes of Putin - I think not."

Yeah, cos only Britain and the US are allowed to do the imperialism thing, innit.

I don't see why there should be cause for panic, I bet the US is kicking itself for not thinking of it first.

starling, Lancaster,

DJ Johnson, Kelso, Washington, USA
Right)
Thats why the USA still haven't signed the Kyoto Protocole?)))

Marina, Moscow, Russia

I believe the oil belongs to Russia. Since they can make the expeditions, and have made strides to defend their rightful claim, I say this is absolutely a great Russian treasure.

My concern is what will the U.S try to do to oppose the right
of this Russian rightful claim? Will the U.S try to instigate or create a reason for war? The U.S created the purpose for war
in the middle east, trying to protect its oil resources in Iraq.
regardless of the cost.

How much more so for a most precious resource worth 100
billion tonnes of fresh well preserved crude oil under the North pole. I can only believe the U.S. will not hesitate to find a reason to enact a war, if the U.S losses it's right to claim at least a part of this Russian energy resource.

Ruth Peterson, Minneapolis, U.S.A. MN

4300 meters is more like 14000 feet

michael, smithville, missouri

The liberal enviro-maniacs are the reason we have not drilled for more oil. Russia doesn`t consider ethics in their policies, so anything goes. They don`t worry about offending anyone and they don`t have all the strict rules governing the environment like the USA does. This will really upset Al Gore. I can`t wait to see the protesters at the North Pole!

DJ Johnson, Kelso, Washington, USA

Superlative illustration of how the elites of the West fear the rise of a new economic superpower to whom they will be enslaved by insatiable greed for hydrocarbons.
I greatly admire Putin for his superb leadership to restore national pride and rebuild our last great European civilisation.

Will, Bth, UK

This is it! We are DOOMED! Russian imperialism is on the march again. It's expansionist land grabbing will ignite a resistance amongst the rest of the world and tensions will mount. Peace and prosperty will be abandoned for greed and conquering. People will have to make a choice, God forbid, "...give me liberty or give me death!"

Chris, Buford, GA, USA

No panic here. We are waiting for you. He he he.

Linda Dial, Calgary, Canada

Maybe it's time you got on the train back to the ussr Martin. It's scary having people like you in Britain.

I feel it is very rude of Russia to claim the north pole they should have at least asked England first, I think we should unite with Europe and the USA and make our own claim to the pole, that should give the politburo something to think about.

jbland, mondeville, France

Somehow I don't think so Ms. New Zealand, Mr. RasPutin is a totally amoral person who runs "let's make a deal where I win" 24/7. Anyone who thinks anything else is naive.

Linda Dial, Calgary, Canada

Isn't the arctic big enough to share amongst the polar five?

John, Edinburgh, UK

"imperialism", "Cold War", "stalinism"...
So many hard words to describe the panick Russia inflicts upon you?
Why are you, western countries so afraid of Russian power?
Just because you don't understand how the russian brain works, doesn't mean russian are dangerous.
And by the way...
We will get the Artic.

Marina, Moscow, Russia

Canada is going to show PUSH BACK on this issue. We are not too busy with designer wars like the USA and the UK. We will show you how to deal with RasPutin.

Linda Dial, Calgary, Canada

My goodness me, shouldn't we be more worried about the fact that "climate change makes the Arctic less hostile to exploitation." Claim the territory by all means so long as your working towards it's conservation.

leanne, auckland, NZ

This sounds like the kind of idea thought up after a few too many vodkas. It is totally insane.

James, London,

Nothing to cause a war over this week, boys? Right then, we'll have the Arctic.

The drilling of oil in the Arctic should be entirely illegal. Find (sorry, invest in) a sustainable source and stop this nonsense.

Mike, Moscow,

Now as the largest oil exporter in the world, surpassing Saudia Arabia, Russia is set to add to it's economic strength by pulling ahead of the United States as the supplier of more advanced high tech missiles, which adds to its presitige by outpacing the US in tecnological advancements. It is emerging as a super power once again.

Russian also has surpassed the US in the weapons field of electro magnetics, based on Nikolai Tesla's many inventions.

Because Russia isn't succumbing to the the importation of crime, poverty, and religious fantacism from Muslims, blacks, and the other dregs of the worlds societies, which is placing the West on the brink of civil war every day, it is Russia that I would love to see replace the US permanently as a world power.

The West is finished.

The west is a tinder box that is ready to ignite from the masses of squabbling tribes that despise whites and have but one goal, which is to take over every country that has given them sanctuary.

robert kelly, ocala, florida

The Russians are coming! Martin from London is obviously a native Londoner and has no affiliation with Russia. All Londoners view Russia in such a positive way, unless you happen to get nuked by them in a restaurant!

Adrian, London,

I am beginning to wonder if there is much difference between the Russian tourists I've seen and the people in charge of their government.

Tom Allen, Tilburg,

How come 4300 meters became 1400 ft? You need someone who has done well with A-levels in Maths.

MK Gorkhali, Delhi, India

Russian imperialism - should we expect anything less from the likes of Putin - I think not.

robert, london, UK

I hope that Russia will finally claim its territories, as it is a great country :DD I wish everyone a success in this journey :DD

Martin, London,