Image source: topwar.ru
The Russian Defense Ministry has called for a change in the order of passage along the Northern Sea Route for foreign warships. The military department proposes to oblige them to request permission to travel through Russian waters.
The military proposes to amend the law "On Internal Sea Waters, Territorial Sea and Adjacent Zone of the Russian Federation", thereby defining a new order of passage along the Northern Sea Route for foreign warships. According to the amendments, for passage along the Northern Sea Route, foreign warships must request permission at least 90 days in advance. Only one military vessel can enter the internal waters of the Northern Sea Route without the right to enter ports or naval bases, and a special permit is required for the movement of several ships. Submarines must follow in a surface position and with the national flag raised.
In addition, the amendments introduce the right of the authorities to suspend the passage of foreign ships for a certain period of time for security purposes. Such requirements are explained by the growth in the volume of sea transportation and the intensification of naval activities of various states in the Arctic zone, RBC reports.
These amendments have already been approved by the government commission on legislative activity, and also supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the FSB and the Ministry of Transport. Previously, permission was not required for the passage of foreign warships along the Northern Sea Route.
Earlier it was repeatedly reported that the United States has plans for the Northern Sea Route and is not averse to taking possession of it. Washington believes that Russia has no rights to the Northern Sea Route, attempts to put pressure on Moscow in order to transfer it under the control of the "world community", or rather, the United States, have already been made, but have been stopped.
