Contemporary issues of international cooperation in the Arctic

In recent decades, the significant economic and resource potential of the Arctic region, as well as ongoing climate change that increases the availability of this part of the globe for economic and military activities (for example, the melting of sea ice), have determined the tendency of both Arctic and non-Arctic states to strengthen the northern vector in their foreign policy planning. The Russian Federation has not been an exception. In 2021-2023, Russia is chairing the Arctic Council, the leading cooperation format in the region. The flexibility and efficiency of this platform allows its members and permanent participants to solve a wide variety of challenges in the Arctic, primarily in the field of climate change and sustainable development. Problems for Arctic cooperation are connected, among other things, with the general tensions in relations between the Arctic countries, as well as some controversial issues between them, such as the situation around the Svalbard archipelago. At the same time, it can be stated that the potential for solving these problems and further cooperation remains high due to the common interests of the Arctic countries, as well as the opportunities that open up to them in the region.