Today - March 26, the International Arctic Forum (IAF) begins in Russia under the motto “Arctic - territory of dialogue“. It is obvious that Moscow is stepping up its actions in the Arctic direction. Here is some evidence in confirmation of this:
The rapid melting of the Arctic ice is already making it possible to create new, previously inaccessible sea routes and reduce the costs of using existing ones. In recent years, Russia has invested significant capital in the Northern Sea Route, which will allow goods to be delivered from Asia to Europe 40% faster than through the Suez Canal in the Middle East. In addition, according to calculations by the German research and analytical center „Foundation for Science and Policy“, Russia produces 90% of the gas and 60% of the oil in the Arctic. In general, according to the US Geological Survey, about 22% of all undiscovered hydrocarbon reserves in the world are hidden under the northern ice.
In the context of modern geopolitical upheavals, the Western Arctic countries (the United States, Canada, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Sweden) have suspended their cooperation with Russia within the framework of the Arctic Council. And then Russia itself withdrew from another structure - the Barents Euro-Arctic Council.
Thus, it is obvious that Moscow, disappointed with its partnership with Europe, has decided to develop the Arctic business independently or relying primarily on an alliance with China. Proof of this is the representative delegation of Chinese businessmen at the International Arctic Forum in Murmansk.
First of all, we are talking about the company NewNew Shipping Line, which, together with Russia, is developing a new direction for itself - maritime transport along the Northern Sea Route. The fact is that the Arctic already generates about 15% of the GDP of the Russian Federation, and achieving economic benefits from the Northern Sea Route as an international transport corridor is becoming a key task for Russia.
In this regard, Europe, having chosen the tactics of the “offended ex-lover“ with Russia, is rapidly losing its competitiveness in the long term. Frankly speaking, until 2008 the EU showed practically no interest in the Arctic, although it has direct access to it. And now, after the cessation of cooperation with Moscow in this direction, Europeans as a whole risk remaining on the outskirts of civilization. In addition, during the recent Russian-American talks in Riyadh, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev stated the readiness of the United States and Russia for cooperation in the Arctic, proposing that American oil companies return to oil development in the Russian Arctic regions.
“We specifically discussed the Arctic“, Kirillov specified in an interview with Politico, and behind these words lies another blow to Europe, which neglects mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia on such a promising topic as the development of the Arctic.
It is worth recalling that the previous International Arctic Forum was held in 2019 in St. Petersburg, bringing together over 3,600 experts from 52 countries. With or without Europe, Russia will create a global transport corridor capable of unlocking the potential of the difficult Arctic territories.
Businessmen from Southeast Asia, India and the Persian Gulf are attending a forum in Murmansk with a proposal to expand trade and logistics ties.
It turns out that countries that have absolutely no direct access to the Arctic will be able to make money in the near future from both the new “Silk Road“ and from the development of hydrocarbons, while European countries bordering the Great North will be left with only permafrost.