Putin's Arctic: International political economy and the future of global polar politics

By Gordon Groat

In the short term, the west can expect Putin to continue to diversify his export markets and further pivot away from the EU. With additional capacity coming online via Power of Siberia and Arctic LNG, Putin will have gathered even greater resources.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781312657786

Book preview

Arktikos (Arctic)

Arctic is a word that can be negotiated in many ways. In ancient Greece, Arctic came from the Greek expression Arktikos, which is most directly translated to Near the Bear. For those who grew up during the Cold War, we might think of being Near the Bear as being near Russia. Russia, quite obviously, has had a significant presence in the Arctic for a long time, and they are still represented by the image of the Bear.

It’s also believed that the Greek word Arktikos is a reference to either (or both) of the constellations Ursa Major or Ursa Minor, which of course, stand for Big Bear and Little Bear.

Contents

Arktikos (Arctic)

Russia’s Arctic

Shipping

Hydrocarbons

Rare Earth Elements

Icebreakers

The Northern Sea Route

China’s Arctic

Diplomacy

Polar Research

Rare Earth Elements

Yamal

Power of Siberia

Putin and the Oligarchy

Media Oligarchs

Vladimir Gusinsky

Boris Berezovsky

Oil and Gas Oligarchs

Yukos Affair / Rosneft

Lukoil

Ukraine War

The Great Pivot

Conclusion

Russia’s Arctic

On many levels, Russians consider the Arctic a symbol of their national identity and heritage for several reasons. First, the Arctic region has played an important role in Russian history and culture, as it has been a source of inspiration for writers, artists, and explorers for centuries. Russian explorers, traders, and military forces have also had a significant presence in the Arctic region throughout history, contributing to Russia's national identity and sense of pride in its historical legacy.¹

The extreme climate and harsh environment of the Arctic have traditionally been seen as a test of Russian strength and resilience, and many Russians take pride in their country's ability to survive and thrive in such a challenging environment.² This resilience is seen as a core aspect of the Russian national character and identity.

For generations of Russians, the Arctic has been seen as a strategically important region that can help secure Russia's economic and geopolitical interests. As the Arctic becomes more accessible due to climate change, Russia sees the region as a valuable source of natural resources, such as oil, gas, and minerals, as well as a potential shipping route for international trade.³

The Russian government has made significant investments in the Arctic region in recent years, both in terms of infrastructure and military assets. President Putin has stated that the Arctic is a top priority for the Russian government, and that the country intends to invest heavily in the region over the coming years.⁴ By