Washington is concerned about the icebreaker fleet, resources, and military presence

Washington views Russia's increased activity in the Arctic as a key challenge to its interests in the high latitudes.

This includes the growth of maritime trade, resource extraction, and Russia's military presence. According to American analysts, Moscow views the rivalry with the US in the Arctic as one of the priority areas in the field of national security. American analysts separately draw attention to China, which, despite not being an Arctic state, is gradually advancing economic and political projects in the region. Additional concern for Washington is the Russian military presence and the world's largest icebreaker fleet.

This is not about a situational response, but about a long-term US strategy formed several years ago, Irina Strelnikova, Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Arctic Research at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, explained. According to her, Washington seeks to limit Moscow's capabilities in all key areas - from military presence to economic projects and control over transport corridors.

“The US promotes the thesis that this route [the Northern Sea Route] should have the status of international waters, but the current legal regime fully complies with the norms of international law. Russia acts within the framework of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, including the provisions of Article 234, and retains legal grounds for regulating navigation on the Northern Sea Route,” Strelnikova noted.

Washington's interest in establishing control over Greenland is explained by several factors, including resource and strategic ones. According to her, the island could give the US additional opportunities for deploying elements of the Golden Dome air defense system and gaining access to reserves of rare earth metals, necessary for high-tech industries, Strelnikova added.

Moscow, in turn, is adapting to changing conditions and strengthening its positions in the Arctic, including by expanding cooperation with non-Arctic states.

"As noted in our Foreign Policy Concept, these are undoubtedly China and India. And here it is very important for us to diversify partners so that this does not happen."

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