How Russia is winning the race to control the Arctic

As the Putin-Trump summit focuses the world's attention on Alaska, it also shines a light on a vast region that is crucial to global security. Sam Kiley explores its strategic significance

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At its nearest point, Alaska is just 2. 4 miles from Russia. In the remote Bering Sea, Little Diomede Island (belonging to the US) sits next to Big Diomede Island (part of Russia). In between them lies the international date line, which means the American island, also known as Yesterday Island, is 21 hours behind its Russian neighbour, unsurprisingly dubbed Tomorrow. This quirk of geography and history appeals to Vladimir Putin, putting him ahead not only in a chronological sense (literally), but also in a political one - because that's where he's winning the race for control of a vast region that is opening up thanks to climate change. For as the Arctic continues to thaw, it is Russia that is taking advantage.

"This region is at the centre of Nato's security. This is Nato's northern flank... Russia's military presence, particularly, has been growing now for years," warned foreign secretary David Lammy on a recent trip to the High North. "This area is hugely, strategically important as the ice caps melt. It opens up potentially new gateways. Suddenly you can do shipping in areas where you couldn't before.

"My visit is about deterring the threat from Russia, just as it is about tackling the threat of climate change."

Russia is working the hardest to dominate the Arctic because it has the most to gain from the opening of these routes. The thawing of the Arctic ice caps is an economic and military opportunity that Moscow has not missed.