THE MODERN ARCTIC: GLOBAL BIPOLARITY OR BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Abstract

After February 2022, the situation in the Arctic begins to acquire some features of a hybrid war, which speak of new negative trends taking place in the region. Many large European and Asian companies from unfriendly countries have left or declared their intention to leave economic projects in the Russian Arctic. Interaction with the foreign scientific community in the field of Arctic research has almost ceased. The well-established algorithm of the Arctic Council’s activities was violated (in March, the participation of Western countries in the events of the chairmanship of the Russian Federation in the Arctic Council (2021–2023) was terminated; in June, the activities of the Council were resumed, but without the participation of Russia; the European Union is trying to increase its influence on Denmark, Sweden and Finland, which are founding members of the Arctic Council). In the summer, a conflict arose and was partially resolved in the Arctic related to the blocking by Norway of Russian cargo sent for Russians and employees of the Arktikugol trust in the village of Barentsburg on Spitsbergen under the pretext of implementing EU sanctions. Under these conditions, Russia is working out additional specific steps to ensure state interests in the Arctic in the socio-economic and defense spheres. According to the authors, a sharp increase in tension is possible in the Arctic after the successful completion of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.