“Hundreds of thousands of our citizens live and work in the Arctic territories.
Practically all areas of national security of our country are concentrated: environmental, resource, military-political, technological,” RIA Novosti quotes Putin.
According to him, now, "taking into account various kinds of restrictions and sanctions pressure, we need to pay special attention to all projects and plans related to the Arctic."
Earlier, Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko said that Russia understands the depth of the sanctions imposed on it and their consequences for the economy, but there is no panic and confusion, the government is working clearly and smoothly.
First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Andrey Belousov said that the “drawdown” of the Russian economy is one of the main risks.
Belousov also said that the vast majority of foreign companies have expressed a desire to stay on the Russian market.
At the same time, he noted that Russia must firmly defend its interests in the event of the departure of foreign companies.