Russian approach towards the Arctic region

PADRTOVÁ, Barbora. Russian approach towards the Arctic region. In Majer, M. – Ondrejcsák, R. – Tarasovič, V. – Valášek, T. Panorama of Global Security Environment 2012. Bratislava: Centre for European and North Atlantic Affairs (CENAA), 2012, p. 690-705.

Basic information

• Original name: Russian approach towards the Arctic region
• Authors: PADRTOVÁ, Barbora.
• Edition: Bratislava, Panorama of Global Security Environment 2012, p. 690-705, 2012.
• Publisher: Centre for European and North Atlantic Affairs (CENAA)

Other information

• Type of outcome: Chapter(s) of a specialized book
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• Publication form: printed version "print"
• WWW: URL
• Keywords in English: Arctic region, national interests, natural resources, Russian policy, security, nuclear deterrence
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract (in English)

The Arctic is clearly vital to Russia’s relevance in world affairs. Natural resources are one of the major forces driving Russian policy as they are viewed as a basis for the economic development and determine its geopolitical influence. Moreover, the Arctic has always played a significant role from the perspective of Russian Navy. Russia is the only country in the world with a nuclear icebreaker fleet. On the geopolitical level, the most important for Moscow is maintaining of nuclear deterrence by securing the open access of submarines to world’s seas. As the forecast promises an ice-free Arctic by 2040, Russia has a well-developed commercial and transport infrastructure to take advantage of opportunities offered by the retreating icecap. The importance of the Arctic to Russia on the one hand, and growing international interest on the other, has fueled Russia’s determination to make its role as a central Arctic nation eminently clear by political, economic, and military means. As part of its effort to create a comprehensive presence in the Arctic, Russia has been steadily expanding its military component there since 2007. Any foreign interest in the area, government, commercial or environmental, is seen as hostile intent. Naturally, Russian national interests will be challenged by other Arctic states – all NATO members – who can theoretically speak with one voice against Russia. Thus the Arctic region is likely to become a region of geo-political competition.