The other day the commander of the US Coast Guard, Admiral Paul Tsukunft, talked with reporters of American media. It is clear that the main topic of the conversation was local problems: the construction of a wall on the border of the US and Mexico, the underfinancing of the department, which is commanded by Mr. Tsukunft. But along with this, the US was also lagging behind Russia in the Arctic. Naturally, it was about the icebreaker fleet.

The Commander complained that Russia has 40 icebreakers on the move. Moreover, icebreakers of a new generation are being built. And the United States on the move one or three icebreakers (depending on how to count). The plans for the laying of another icebreaker at the end of 2019. But why did the US need icebreakers? The fact that Mr. Tsukunft during a conversation with journalists said that, in his opinion, the Northern Sea Route should be a transport corridor open to the entire international community. The commander can be understood, he is an American, and therefore believes that they, as true rulers of destinies, have the right to swim, fly and ride anywhere, and to decide the fate of anyone. But I would like to ask him a question of the famous character of Ilf and Petrov: "And the keys to the apartment, where the money lies you do not give? "Tsukunfta does not care that the entire Northern Route is in the territorial waters of Russia. That is, Russia must abandon its strategic resource in favor of a free market. Meanwhile, in recent years Russia itself has actively begun to develop Arctic projects. The Arctic has become one of the main directions of the country's development. Great work has been done to restore order to the Arctic islands, several large-scale facilities are being built and designed.

Considerable resources are also invested in defense activities, because their values ??should be reliably protected, otherwise they will be taken away.

And Mr. Tsukunft complained that "there is currently no plan to conduct exercises to ensure freedom of navigation in the Arctic". Like this. While there is no plan. And nothing, that the Northern Sea Route is the territorial waters of Russia? Especially the friendliness and reliability of the "partners" we had the opportunity to assess.