Russia sees the US interest in joint development of the Arctic, Alexander Gusarov, head of the North Atlantic Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told “Izvestia“.
“We are receiving signals from the American side indicating interest in discussing joint development of the Arctic. However, between general talks about prospects for cooperation and real project-based cooperation, there is a long way to go,“ he said. He added that the current practices of Western partners, including the United States, are limited to increasing NATO's military presence near Russia's borders, unilateral sanctions against Russia, and "many other far from friendly actions," largely due to problems inherited from previous US administrations.
Gusarov noted that Russia is the largest Arctic power. "Our approach is consistent and constructive: we view the Arctic as a territory for dialogue, peaceful cooperation, and sustainable development. We are open to interaction with all interested parties, including the United States, based on equality, mutual respect and strict adherence to international law“, he added in response to the newspaper's question whether specific projects between the United States and Russia are being discussed.
“When Washington took a course of total confrontation in 2022, aimed at containing Russia at all costs, the Arctic, unfortunately, became one of the places for implementing this destabilizing policy, and in a form that was quite unattractive to its authors. I mean the refusal of Western countries, led by the United States, to participate in events related to the Russian chairmanship of the Arctic Council. Now, as we understand, the situation may change“, he added.
According to him, the administration of US President Donald Trump declares a pragmatic approach and increased openness to direct dialogue on specific, mutually beneficial issues. "And in this context, the discussion on the Arctic, where objectively we have many points of contact - from shipping safety to scientific research - seems completely natural and promising. There is cautious hope that we can begin to unravel the tangled web of accumulated problems," the diplomat added.