A global race for Arctic resources has already begun, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said, the RIA Novosti news agency reports. "The potential there is already there for a global race to exploit the resources of the region," he said, speaking about climate change to students at Old Dominion University in Norfolk.

Mr. Kerry said that the U.S. believes that all activities in the Arctic should be carried out peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law. "We all need to ensure that we are taking steps to prevent competition — new competition — from leading to conflict," he said.