Economic cooperation in the Arctic between the United States and Russia can become a fresh chapter in the complicated relation between the 2 powers. The Arctic has become the subject of high-level discussions on the exploitation of natural resources and the usage of fresh trade routes.
Discussions in Saudi Arabia between American and Russian officials are at an early stage, but they are already of interest and concern in NATO and European allies of Washington. The Western policy so far assumed to isolate Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and all signal of possible normalization of economical relations with Moscow gives emergence to concern in Brussels.
It is no secret that the Arctic subject is gaining importance in the context of global climate change. The melting glaciers open fresh sailing routes, shortening transport times between Asia, North America and Europe. This region besides hides rich oil and gas resources, which makes all economical power want to mark its presence in it. Beijing was already declared "a country close to the Arctic" in 2018 for a reason, investing in fisheries, energy and transport infrastructure in the region.
From Washington's perspective, possible cooperation with Russia may be a way to weaken Moscow's increasing alliance with Beijing. The United States has for years been observing closer economical and military relations between Russia and China, and in the Arctic region their common interests can pose a challenge to US dominance. At the end of last year, the Pentagon published a fresh Arctic strategy highlighting the hazard of increased Russian-Chinese presence in the region.
However, this does not mean that the Arctic will become a field of carefree cooperation between Washington and Moscow. Relations between these countries stay tense and Western sanctions proceed to burden the Russian economy. It is worth recalling the past of the cooperation of ExxonMobil and Russian giant Rosnieft, which ended in failure after imposing sanctions on Moscow in 2018.
On Thursday (27 February) a gathering was held between representatives of the US and Russia in Istanbul, which could clarify the direction in which this cooperation is going. However, as usual in relations between Washington and Moscow, 1 thing remains clear: the Arctic is simply a cold area, but the temperature of political negotiations around it is increasing.
Maciej Chorzelewski
