'Russia scales down New Year's celebrations to pay for Ukraine war'

Russia Sets Sights on , Expanding Arctic Territory . 'Newsweek' reports that Russia is planning to continue expanding into the Arctic amid what Moscow perceives as growing Western threats in the region. 'Newsweek' reports that Russia is planning to continue expanding into the Arctic amid what Moscow perceives as growing Western threats in the region. While no country can lay claim to the geographic North Pole or the Arctic Ocean, the territory is divided into eight Arctic states. . These territories are limited to a 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). . In 2001, Russia made its first bid to expand its Arctic territory, but the push was rejected by the United Nation's Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. In 2001, Russia made its first bid to expand its Arctic territory, but the push was rejected by the United Nation's Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. The push to tap into gas and oil reservoirs in the Arctic seabed was resubmitted by Russia in 2015 and again in 2021. According to Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, Russia's push to expand its Arctic territory comes as a result of , "the expansion of NATO and the aggressive policy of the collective West towards Russia.". 'Newsweek' reports that Russia's war in Ukraine has deteriorated ties between Russia and the West. . Now, that tension threatens to spill over into the Arctic region, where the U.S. held cold weather military drills in February of this year. Now, that tension threatens to spill over into the Arctic region, where the U.S. held cold weather military drills in February of this year. In October of 2022, the U.S. government's Arctic strategy said that was had , "raised geopolitical tensions in the Arctic.". In October of 2022, the U.S. government's Arctic strategy said that was had , "raised geopolitical tensions in the Arctic.". According to Yevmenov, the Arctic region is critical for Russia's national security as there has been "an increase in the foreign military presence" amid competition for resources. . According to Yevmenov, the Arctic region is critical for Russia's national security as there has been "an increase in the foreign military presence" amid competition for resources.

Speaking on the policy directions for the new year at a key meeting of the country's ruling party on Wednesday, Kim also said Pyongyang would expand strategic...