With up to a quarter of the world’s undiscovered oil and gas resources believed to be in the Arctic, the stakes are high for the five countries making claims to the area. The international territorial dispute in the Arctic most recently came to a head when Russia planted a titanium flag on the seabed underneath the North Pole.

Stephen Harper, Canada’s prime minister, in turn, announced Canada’s intention to spend C$3.1bn (€2.14bn) building up to eight naval ships capable of breaking through much of the Arctic ice. There are also plans to set up additional military bases in the region.