Moscow. February 5th. INTERFAX - Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry, senior Russian official in the Arctic Council Nikolai Korchunov, in an interview with Interfax on the occasion of Diplomatic Worker's Day, spoke about the prospects for Russia's participation in a key organization of Arctic cooperation, the consequences of increasing NATO's military presence in the region and the future of the Northern Sea Route.
- According to many analysts, the Arctic will become an arena of confrontation between global forces in the coming years, taking into account the resources available in the region and its strategic position. Do you believe in such a prospect, what is the risk for global peace and security?
- Many analysts, indeed, due to the increasing importance of the Arctic region in the global economy, in the field of marine logistics, the growing demand for mineral resources in demand in the context of global energy transition, as well as its strategic position, on the one hand, and the deteriorating military and political situation in the region, on the other, have recently begun to point to increasing military and political tensions.
Among the factors reinforcing this trend, one can single out the decision of the North Atlantic Alliance to expand NATO and include the Arctic region in its sphere of interests, the desire for NATO's military dominance in the region, the bets of the Alliance countries on the armed forces as one of the most effective tools for realizing national interests, the build-up of NATO's military presence in the region and the growth of non-defensive tasks, but of an offensive nature. These actions are supported by the confrontational rhetoric of the NATO leadership during meetings at the level of the chiefs of General Staff of the Arctic states, which were frozen at the initiative of Western countries, and served as an important confidence-building mechanism in the military sphere.
- What is the current situation with the activities of the Arctic Council (AU), given that the AU countries have actually suspended their interaction with Russia within the framework of the organization? In 2023, Norway assumed the chairmanship of the organization, what is happening with the Arctic Council now, are there any contacts? You said earlier that if Russia is not invited to the events of the Arctic Council, we can withdraw from this organization, what are the plans of the Russian side for further participation in the AU?
- The activities of the Arctic Council are currently causing concern due to the limited involvement of some AU countries in its work. The organization operates at the lowest speeds. Attempts by the Norwegian presidency to resume the work of the Arctic Council in full format have not yet been supported by all AU member countries, some of which, apparently, have taken a line to weaken the role of this organization in the architecture of international Arctic cooperation.
We link the prospects for Russia's further participation in the Council with the resumption of its work and the extent to which its activities will correspond to Russian interests, including the goals and objectives approved by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2035, as well as the Fundamentals of the state Policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic.
- Taking into account global instability and increasing conflict, in particular in the Red Sea region, how much is the role of the Northern Sea Route as one of the world's main transport arteries growing? Can it replace the Middle East transport corridors? Is Russia ready to fully take over the security of this route, and should it be open to all states? Will we differentiate the conditions of its use depending on the friendliness of States?
- Of course, we are concerned about the situation in the Red Sea region. Russia, as a responsible participant in international economic relations, is doing everything possible in this role for the effective operation of the global maritime transport communications system. In particular, in 2022, the Government of the Russian Federation approved a Plan for the Development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) until 2035, which involves the construction of an icebreaking fleet, support vessels, port facilities and other measures for the development of the NSR, including with the aim of ensuring safe navigation. The Northern Sea Route is open to all states, there is no discrimination here.
Due to the logistical crisis in the Red Sea, we are ready to guarantee maximum safety and environmental friendliness of navigation along the Northern Sea Route for all shippers, including commercial and scientific shipping, carried out in accordance with international rules and Russian legislation.
After the pandemic, the priorities of the world's largest logistics companies shifted from maximizing profits to sustainability and safety of shipping. The peculiarity of the Northern Sea Route is absolutely safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly navigation. In recent years, we have seen an increase in interest in transportation via the NSR from logistics companies interested in hedging risks. Regular container lines are beginning to appear on the Northern Sea Route.
- In December 2023, the US State Department announced that the United States was unilaterally expanding claims to the borders of its continental shelf, how does Russia regard this decision, will any response measures be taken? Will we raise this issue in international organizations so that it is resolved in accordance with international law?
- The decision of the US State Department requires a serious political and legal analysis, primarily from the point of view of applicable international law, in particular, the provisions of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is universal in nature, as well as the role and significance of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. It is an expert body that provides recommendations to coastal States on issues related to the establishment of the outer limits of their continental shelf. The shelf boundaries established on the basis of these recommendations are final and binding for all.
In order to ensure its rights and interests, if they are violated by any country, the Russian Federation will respond in accordance with international law, including on international platforms.
It is premature to claim that the US steps could lead to a real conflict in this region, including between the US and Canada. We hope that both the United States and Canada will responsibly comply with existing agreements, including within the framework of the Ilulissat Declaration of 2008, in which five Arctic states, including the United States and Canada, confirmed their intention to resolve disputes through diplomatic methods.
- Moscow has previously warned that Russia may take retaliatory measures, including preventive ones, in connection with the strengthening of NATO's potential in the Arctic. Will Finland's accession to the alliance and Sweden's imminent accession to NATO require appropriate steps, including military response measures?
- They have already been undertaken and will continue to be built in proportion to the challenges and threats in the field of military security.