(ANSA-AFP) - SAINT PETERSBURG, JUL 31 - The United States'
quest to dominate the oceans and NATO's expansion are the
biggest threats facing Russia, according to a new Russian naval
doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin on Sunday. The
55-page document said the "main challenges and threats" to
national security and development were Washington's "strategic
objective to dominate the world's oceans" and NATO military
infrastructure moving towards Russia's borders. "Russia's
independent internal and external policy faces counter-measures
from the United States and its allies, who aim to preserve their
dominance in the world, including its oceans," said the
doctrine, signed on Russian Navy Day. Moscow views the Western
military alliance -- the Soviet Union's enemy during the Cold
War -- as an existential threat, using Ukraine's membership
hopes to justify its offensive on February 24. The doctrine said
Moscow will seek to strengthen its leading position in exploring
the Arctic and its mineral resources and maintain "strategic
stability" there by bolstering the potential of the northern and
Pacific fleets. It also mentioned Russia's desire to develop a
"safe and competitive" sea route from Europe to Asia, known as
the Northeast Passage, via the country's Arctic coastline and
ensure it worked throughout the year. (ANSA-AFP).
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