Russian Arctic Policy In The Perspective Of The Arctic Council

In recent years,global warming has intensified,the Arctic sea ice has been melting,and the value of its waterways,resources and security has become more and more prominent,so the political,economic and military games among countries in the region have become increasingly intense.As the most authoritative governance mechanism in the Arctic region,the Arctic Council seeks the common interests of Arctic countries in the economic and social development and environmental protection of the region,and promotes close cooperation among countries on Arctic issues through a comprehensive organizational system and a clear direction of issues.The Russian Presidency of the Arctic Council from 2021 to 2023 is actively involved in setting the agenda and safeguarding its vital interests in the Arctic region.Russia has proposed to build a sustainable Arctic,emphasizing four major issues:safeguarding the rights and interests of Arctic residents,protecting the environment and addressing climate change,promoting economic and social development,and strengthening the role of the Arctic Council.This has objectively affected Russia’s discourse on Arctic issues during its tenure.Since the 21st century,Russia’s Arctic policy has evolved and improved,gradually shifting from a unilateral focus on resource development to one that places equal emphasis on geopolitics,waterway development,ecological protection,military security,scientific research,and Arctic economic and social development.During this period,Russia’s Arctic policy has gone through three main stages of development,and the year 2020 is an important point in the third stage of the process,when three official documents were issued:the "Plan for the Development of the Northern Sea Route Infrastructure until 2035",the "Basic State Policy of the Russian Federation on the Arctic until 2035",and the "Arctic Strategy for the Development and National Security of the Arctic Region of the Russian Federation until 2035".The system of Russia’s Arctic Strategy 2035.In the 2035 Arctic Strategy,Russia has clearly defined its main national interests and key policy areas in the Arctic region,sought to build a complex security body in the Arctic region in its capacity as the Chair of the Arctic Council,emphasized defense security,energy security,economic security and public security,focused on the construction of the Northern Sea Route,and promoted diversified cooperation.Russia’s Arctic strategic system fully reflects its geopolitical thinking and the strategic culture of Great Russia,and also shows the important position of the Arctic region in Russia’s national strategy,and of course,the increasingly tense military confrontation in the Arctic region also plays a certain role in shaping its Arctic strategy.Russia’s Arctic strategy is broad and focused,but it also faces many challenges:the New Pneumonia epidemic has had a major impact on the domestic economy,the health of citizens,and Arctic research;the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has exacerbated the confrontation between Russia and the West over the Arctic;the Arctic still lacks targeted international law to harmonize the rights and interests of all countries;and the naturally fragile environment and lagging technological means have hindered Russia’s development in the Arctic.Russia’s development in the Arctic region is hampered by its natural fragile environment and lagging technological means.Looking ahead,Russia will continue to strive for further rights and interests in the outer limits of the continental shelf,maintain its Arctic territorial security,and seek cooperation with other countries in the construction of the Northern Sea Route,which provides important opportunities for Sino-Russian cooperation.China’s energy needs and Russia’s financial and technological needs are highly compatible,and the partnership between the two countries continues to escalate,with numerous cooperation achievements.In the future,China and Russia have great potential for cooperation in economic and security cooperation in the Arctic region,resource development,sustainable development of the Arctic,and rule-making in Arctic governance.