![]() ![]() This cooperation persisted despite Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008, annexation of Crimea 2014, and military campaigns in support of the Assad regime in Syria. ![]() ![]() Apart from joint military drills between NATO members and Russia that were discontinued after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, “ High North, low tension” was the Norwegian slogan under which “softer” forms of Arctic cooperation continued. While joint efforts to tackle environmental hazards-such as the nuclear waste Russia has been dumping off its Arctic coast since Soviet times-would be desirable, Russia has a track record of covertly using cooperation formats to advance its own geopolitical interests.įor a long time, the Arctic was seen as a zone free of geopolitical tensions. Going forward, Russia’s Western neighbors must become increasingly careful about resuming cooperation with Russia.The Northern Sea Route is becoming increasingly relevant as a connection to Asian markets, which Russia needs to counterbalance Western sanctions. Its Northern Fleet, with nuclear-capable submarines, is located in the Arctic, as well as 80 percent of the country’s natural gas and 17 percent of its oil production. For Russia, the Arctic is essential for military and economic reasons.However, the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine finally led to a halt of regional cooperation. Under the slogan “High North, low tension,” Arctic cooperation between Russia and its Nordic neighbors was, for a long time, widely shielded from the consequences of Russia’s military campaigns against Georgia, Ukraine (in 2014), and Syria. ![]()
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