Evolution of Russian policy in the Arctic through the prism of legal regulation

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Russia's Arctic policy, from its formation and establishment to its discourse at the present stage from a legal point of view by analysing the key strategic normative documents that regulate Russia's policy and priorities in the Arctic region. In this area, it is important to trace the changes taking place in the political and normative discourse of the evolution of Russia's Arctic agenda; to establish the features and priorities of Russia's Arctic policy at different stages of its formation in the context of the changes taking place in Russian political discourse and in the system of international relations. The evolution of Russia's Arctic agenda is discussed through the prism of sectoral and conventional theories. The Arctic occupies one of the main places in Russia's policy, is a strategically important region for the realisation of Russia's national interests, and is critical for the development of the Russian economy, energy and military security. At the present stage, it is important to change the existing format of international cooperation in the Arctic. Under the sanctions regime, Russia was forced to ‘open the door wider’ to the Arctic to its new partners in order to realise its national interests. Being in a situation of limited opportunities in the region, Russia continues to pursue a strategy of ‘rapprochement with the countries of the East’, establishing co-operation with China and other BRICS countries. These changes can be traced in Russia's 2023 foreign policy concept, which singles out the Arctic as a separate and important point for further development in several areas: improving the Northern Sea Route as a national transport ‘artery’; preventing militarisation of the region by unfriendly countries; and ensuring Russia's legal continuity in the region. This document laid the foundation for Russia's further co-operation with non-members of the Arctic Council, and also outlined the growing importance of addressing emerging issues in the region. In turn, with the help of another key document, the Framework for State Policy in the Arctic until 2035, one can clearly trace the change in Russia's foreign policy strategy in the Arctic, where Russia's priority shifts to ‘developing relations with foreign states on a bilateral basis, within the framework of relevant multilateral structures and mechanisms’, which in turn means a trend towards developing relations with countries beyond the horizon of the Arctic Council chair countries. Thus, Russia has clearly indicated a commitment to building further co-operation with Asian countries (China, India and others). Thus, this study represents an important contribution to understanding the pattern of changes taking place in Russia's Arctic agenda and their legitimisation through consistent and clear enshrinement in relevant normative acts. The author declares no conflicts of interests.

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