The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has started preparations for the launch of the North Pole research ice station in 2017, Minister Sergei Donskoi said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

"Regardless of the complicated financial situation, the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute was instructed to prepare proposals on setting up a seasonal drifting station in the Arctic next year," Donskoi said.

According to the minister, the final decision regarding the launch of the station will be made as part of budgeting for 2017.

The minister noted that the work of the Arctic research station would depend on the weather. "We must take into account weather and ice conditions, including the availability of suitable ice. In addition to financing, there are objective climatic factors which will affect this decision," the minister said.