The recent Arctic forum organised in Murmansk highlighted Russia’s strategic focus on expanding its economic and military presence in the region. Moscow seeks long-term infrastructure and resource development while asserting its dominance over the Northern Sea Route.
Russia continues to pursue an assertive development agenda in the Arctic, emphasising the region’s economic potential and strategic significance for national security. This strategy includes expanding infrastructure, fostering private investment, and enhancing transport routes, specifically the Northern Sea Route (NSR).
Due to its strategic position and natural resources, China has elaborated a Polar Silk Road to play a leading role in the Arctic zone, attempting to develop joint projects with local actors, especially the Russian Federation, opening a new transit route for its goods.
Within the North Pacific Area, the Bering Strait and the area surrounding are for the Russian Federation and the United States a geo-maritime space of vital importance inherent to the defence of their respective geopolitical interests.