Russian National Interest in the Arctic, energy policies and geopolitical goals

• Main Author: Lazaridou, Anastasia
• Other Authors: Πλατιάς, Αθανάσιος, Σχολή Οικονομικών, Επιχειρηματικών και Διεθνών Σπουδών. Τμήμα Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών Σπουδών, Ενέργεια: Στρατηγική, Δίκαιο & Οικονομία
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Πανεπιστήμιο Πειραιώς 2022
• Subjects: Arctic; Russia; Energy; Northern sea route; Geopolitics; Canada; Norway; Northern Sea Route
• Online Access: https://dione.lib.unipi.gr/xmlui/handle/unipi/14762; https://doi.org/10.26267/unipi_dione/2184

The aim of this thesis is to put light on the motives and interest of the Russian strong presence in the Arctic region. In order to understand the Russian economic, politic, environmental policies and geopolitical goals, it is necessary to know how and why the Arctic region is so important for the Russian government. In the first chapter entitled “Analysis of the current situation” the Russian national interests as well as Arctic strategies that the Russian Federation follows, are analyzed. Then the significance of the Northern Sea Route is analyzed. Firstly, the history of the exploration and navigation of the route is mentioned. Secondly, there is reference of the legal status of the NSR, of the Polar Code and the opportunities it can give, as the obstruction in the Suez Canal showed to the world in 2021. The last chapter refers to the relations of Russia with Arctic states, such as US, Canada, Norway and Denmark, non Arctic states, such as East Asian countries and organizations, such as NATO and European Union. Under this prism the remaining territorial disputes of Russia with other Arctic players is also analyzed. Concluding, some thoughts are put forward regarding the bilateral relations between Russian Federation and other states interested in the Arctic, the impact of the Ukrainian war on the policies followed in the Arctic and broadly on the possibility of an international cooperation or competition in the region.