**Canada Unveils New Arctic Strategy**
On December 6, Canada announced a renewed Arctic strategy to boost regional security in response to growing threats from Russia. The plan aims to strengthen cooperation with the United States and other northern nations.
**Key Points**
* Canada will appoint an Arctic ambassador and establish new consulates in Alaska and Greenland.
* Ottawa will initiate talks on Arctic security with foreign affairs ministers from other northern nations.
* The Canadian government will also push forward boundary negotiations with the US over the Beaufort Sea.
**Concerns Over Russian Activity**
Canadian officials have raised concerns about Russia’s modernization of infrastructure and military capabilities in the Arctic. They point out that Russia has built a new air force base at Nagurskoye, which is closer to Canada than Iqaluit or Toronto are to Ottawa.
**Global Implications**
The Canadian strategy also takes into account global warming, which could open up new shipping routes through the Arctic. The government emphasized the need for urgent action to address Russian aggression and China’s ambitions in the region.
**Other Developments**
* A recent attack on a Ukrainian city killed nine people and injured 17.
* Russian forces have launched drone attacks on Ukraine overnight.
* Russia has begun selling off gold reserves to address its budget shortfall.