As Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Arctic Council Nikolay Korchunov has told RIA Novosti, Asian BRICS and SCO countries are interested in working with Russia in the Arctic, and their intentions are strategic in nature.

"As usual, countries in the Asian region are showing great interest in cooperation at high latitudes. These are the countries with some of the highest economic growth rates. Many of them are members of BRICS and the SCO," said the diplomat.

"That interest is strategic in nature and creates opportunities for long-term cooperation," emphasized Korchunov.

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would welcome any proposals for joint projects in the Arctic, and that, given the current circumstances, Russia should also invite non-Arctic countries to help with the region's development.