THE ARCTIC IN 2022: RESULTS AND PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The Arctic has always been in a focus of close attention for the Russian leadership. The article examines the international aspects of the Arctic, analyzes the updated Arctic strategies and policies of countries (India, USA, Finland, the Faroe Islands, the European Union) and their improvements, and the withdrawal of several large European and Asian multinational companies from Arctic projects in the Russian Arctic after the start of a special military operation (SMO). It is emphasized that foreign states continue to increase their military presence in the Arctic, especially in its western part. The situation in the Arctic region was greatly complicated by the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, which strengthened the Arctic capabilities of the alliance and created real military threats to Russia in the Arctic direction. Using the examples of the decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation in 2022, the authors analyze the problems of the development of the Russian Arctic, especially those related to the development of the Northern Sea Route and of some of the territories of the Russian Arctic zone for the next 15 years. The article focuses on the nature of the activities of the country's leadership, ministries and departments, legislative authorities, representatives of business and public organizations for the integrational development and assimilation of the Arctic, in light of the unfavorable international events of 2020–2022. It is noted that the real impact of the SMO on the Arctic region can be only determined by its final results.