The battle for resources in the Arctic will be required. The warmer the climate on the earth the less snow and ice in the Arctic and the easier it will be to get there oil and gas. I think Putin had the theme to distract the Russian defeats on the political front, and maintain the image of a strong Russia.
In fact, that might be a reason of a war in future, as you said, every year our climate is getting warmer.
There are real treasures hidden on Arctic, there is so many different kind of resources necessary for different branches of the industry, that the country which will overcome the others, and take control on the Arctic, will have the dominant position among the others. I assume that might happen in the times, where the human exctinction will already start, in the times, where there is a lack of supplies for further technology development, lack of water and food supply.
I hope that we will avoid this fate, however it is still possible that these times will never come, because of the nuclear war that will destroy the whole planet.