Small anti-submarine ship "Kazanets" takes visitors on board on Navy Day, July 26, 2015. The Kremlin announced plans to update its maritime doctrine to strengthen its naval forces in the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. This comes as a response to what it views as brewing NATO's activities close to its borders. Photo by Yulia_B / Shutterstock.com

KALININGRAD, Russia, July 27 (UPI) -- As Russia celebrated Navy Day on Sunday, the Kremlin announced plans to update its maritime doctrine to strengthen its naval forces in the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. This comes as a response to what it views as NATO's approachment to its borders.

Russia is one of five countries bordering the Arctic Ocean.


Sunday's ceremony took place at Baltiysk, a major naval base in Kaliningrad -- a Russian territory jammed between Poland and Lithuania, two NATO members. The new doctrine calls for close cooperation with China in the Pacific region and India in the Indian Ocean, BBC News reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the ceremony.

Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, spoke at Sunday's ceremony. "The Atlantic emphasis is linked to the fact that recently there has been quite active deployment of NATO and it has approached our borders. The Russian Federation will of course respond to that," he said.

The main reasons for adopting amendments to the 2001 maritime doctrine are what it deems "changes of international affairs," as Russia Today reported.

"Attention to the Atlantic stems from NATO's active development and the alliance approaching our borders," Rogozin continued. "The second consideration is Crimea's and Sevastopol's rejoining Russia and the task of their swiftest integration into the economic life of our country. And of course [we have to] resume the presence of our fleet in the Mediterranean."

In mid June, President Putin spoke at a joint media conference with Finland's President Sauli Niinisto. The Russian leader underscored should NATO threaten Russia's territories, the country will respond forcibly.

"If someone threatens our territories, it means that we will have to aim our armed forces accordingly at the territories from where the threat is coming. How else could it be?" Putin asked.

Russia fears the Pentagon may have already begun storing battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to aid Baltic countries, according to news reports. Russia's annexation of Crimea in March 2014, which ousted Ukrainian forces from the Black Sea peninsula's bases, was condemned by NATO.