The Russian Foreign Ministry's ambassador-at-large Nikolai Korchunov told Sputnik on Sunday that Russia and China are getting ready to finalize a cooperation deal concerning the Snowflake International Arctic Station.

"A draft of the cooperation agreement has been agreed upon with China, and the dates and place of its signing are being worked out. All scientific and educational organizations interested, as well as Chinese companies can join this project," Korchunov said, adding that the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology has already selected the Harbin Engineering University as a working partner.

He further said that Russia is willing to explore opportunities for mutually advantageous scientific collaboration in the Arctic region and remains open to considering proposals from other nations regarding participation in the Snowflake project.

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The Snezhinka International Arctic Station, also known as Snowflake, is envisioned as a year-round research facility powered by renewable energy sources and hydrogen fuel.

Its primary purpose is to serve as a collaborative hub for scientists and researchers addressing Arctic-related challenges.

The station will comprise interconnected dome-style structures, arranged in a configuration resembling a snowflake when viewed from above, hence its name.

In late July, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Arctic region is highly strategic to Russia with regard to security and resources. 

He further recalled that "last year at a meeting dedicated to the Arctic, we decided to develop an action plan for the development of housing, energy, and social infrastructure of closed cities and settlements in the Arctic zone where our military units are deployed. However, the tasks are still being solved, to put it mildly, slowly. And today I would like to talk with you, colleagues, on this matter, to talk about the reasons for the delay on the timeline."

Last Friday, Russian energy giant Gazprom confirmed that it has made the first delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to China via the Arctic Northern Sea Route.

"Gazprom has for the first time delivered its own LNG production along the Northern Sea Route," the company said in a statement.

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