News & Views on the Russian presence within the Arctic Circle
14 April 2010
This article in независимая, which in my opinion often offers one of the more ‘realist’ approaches to Arctic geopolitics, revisits some old themes. The author claims that during the 20th century, when the USSR claimed much of the Arctic region, up to the north pole, that this did not elicit any combative responses from other countries. Now, however, with the... Read More...
7 April 2010
In an interview with Regnum, oil and gas expert Alex Kontorovich, who once stated that the Arctic reserves will be equivalent to the reserves in the Persian Gulf, outlines the steps involved in Arctic development. Kontorovich is an Academician based at the Keremovo Scientific Centre in Siberia (see here and here) and estimates that the results of all the present activity will not be realised... Read More...
31 March 2010
While the meetings between the Arctic Five took place in Canada there were many reports of increased geographic activity from the Russian side. риа-новости and other sources have reported that the state budget for geography wil have increased by 6.3% during 2010. GZT.ru reports on a completed application to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf for an extension... Read More...
17 March 2010
It is stated many times in many places that the northern regions are vitally important for the future of Russia – ‘Развитие Севера – это будущее нашей страны’ is the phrase used in итарр-тасс. As stated here up to 20% of Russia’s economy is based in the northern regions. This week there was a meeting of the... Read More...
18 February 2010
… its that simple. New tests of LNG transport routes from the Arctic. It had to happen at some point. But the route is into Asia. I am sure that the strategic ambition is the western market though so that USA and Middle East Gas is doing its stuff. Read More →
8 February 2010
rusnord continues the reporting of the recent conversations between the Norwegian and Russian foreign ministers. This is the most significant part – ‘ По мнению экспертов, соответствующее соглашение нужно Норвегии намного больше, чем России, что позволит Кремлю получить от... Read More...
5 February 2010
Many agencies are reporting and commentating on the visit of the Norwegian Foreign Minister to Moscow. Although the talks were wide ranging, they seemed to be focussed on the tricky issue of the delineation of the maritime boundary in the Barents Sea. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov answered questions about the Shtokman project and maintained that these issues were purely commerical. ... Read More...
3 February 2010
Despite the recent doubts as to the economic prospects for the Shtokman project, which this blog will follow as best as it can, техноПрогресс has reported that 1.3 billions roubles has been allocated for hydrographic and geophysical studies into what it calls, ‘обоснования внешней границы континентального шельфа РФ в Северном... Read More...
14 January 2010
As delegates prepare for the conference Arctic Frontiers, to be held in Tromso Norway later this month, which will focus on the ’sustainable’ development of the northern regions (all development now has to be of this kind), the environmental group Bellona writes of Gazprom’s gasification plans for the Murmansk region and the environmental risks that it may produce, including:... Read More...
13 January 2010
In a comprehensive analysis of Russia’s geopolitical position in Stavropol Pravda two journalists present an account of an emerging multipolar world in which the transport of LNG from the Arctic and the revived northern sea route under conditions of global warming contribute to more equitable relations between countries. The authors make the point, however, that specialised marine... Read More...
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