Moscow has also deployed Iskander-M missiles with a range of about 400 km in the Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad, bordering Poland and Lithuania, both NATO members. These missiles have a capability of destroying components of the anti-missile shields deployed by the United States in Europe. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has just told Shoigu that the U.S. will continue to deploy those shields despite an interim nuclear deal reached with Iran.

Also notable is Putin's announcement that Russia must possess every lever for the protection of its security and national interests in the Arctic. He said "The formation of new forces and military units of the prospective combat configuration of the Armed Forces is due to end next year. I request that you pay special attention to the deployment of infrastructure and military units in the Arctic."

He stressed that Russia "was intensifying the development of that promising region and returning to it."

In all, Russian Defense Ministry expenditures will reach 2.1 trillion rubles. Putin is also stepping up efforts to win over Ukraine.

Both the United States and Canada are asserting their presence in the Arctic. Some have even described it as a new Cold War between Russia and the United States.

Early this month, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper ordered a rewrite of Canada's international claim for Arctic seabed rights to include the North Pole, a region Russia has already marked as its own. That territorial dispute will have to be negotiated between Ottawa and Moscow.

Washington's objective is to secure territorial control on behalf of its oil companies as the Arctic is believed to hold up to 25 percent of the world's oil and gas reserves. And from Washington's perspective, the battle for the Arctic is part of broader global military agenda.

The race is on. Where it will lead remains to be seen.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:http://www.h5a3.com/opinion/zhaojinglun.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.