... strategic documents on the issue. For example, in 2018, China was the first to adopt a
White Paper
on its policy in the Arctic. Given the increasing presence of extra-regional actors, it is important to consider the approaches adopted by Russia and Canada as the two biggest Arctic powers to developing relations with extra-regional states, and with the observer countries in the Arctic Council in particular.
The Interests of Extra-Regional Actors in the Arctic
There are several reasons why extra-regional actors are interested in the Arctic. First and foremost is climate change in the region, which has an impact on the life and ...
... of practically all matters in the Arctic Council is notably free of conflicts between the participants, indicating that the Arctic offers one of the few avenues for cooperation that still contains a tangible constructiveness and willingness for cooperation among the member countries.
Also of great importance is the fact that the United States, which will to take up the Arctic Council presidency from Canada this year, appears eager to isolate its function from international turbulence for the sake of closer cooperation.
I believe ...
... decision and on how the Ukrainian crisis might affect the Arctic Council’s effectiveness and the degree of cooperation in the Arctic region.
Alexander Vylegzhanin
J.D., Head of the International Law Department, MGIMO-University
The withdrawal of Canada, with its second-longest Arctic shoreline after Russia, from a traditionally active and constructive role in the Arctic Council is clearly not in Canada’s national interests. On the contrary, the weakening of Canada’s voice in the regional format of the Arctic’s governance objectively plays into the hands of non-regional countries amid the existing ...
