YEAR-ROUND navigation along the entire 3,500-mile Northern Sea Route (NSR) in Russia's Arctic economic zone, will be possible "as soon as next year", according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports Caixin.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, President Putin said Russia welcomed interested countries to "get directly involved" in the development of the route, adding that Moscow will provide icebreaker escort, communications and supplies.