ИСТИНА

Russia is a historical leader in the discovery and development of Arctic territories and resources, and has unique experience in life and economic activity in extreme conditions, more than 70% of the population of the world’s Polar Regions live in Russia. The Russian Arctic for objective reasons is a region of special geopolitical interests of the country and long-term socio-economic interests of society. Among the main reasons for the interest in the Arctic are its huge reserves of fossil resources, geographical location and economic potential. However, 2014 was a turning point for Russia's Arctic strategy. Russian Arctic oil quickly became economically unviable due to a combination of low oil prices globally and sanctions imposed on the Russian energy sector in response to the crisis in Ukraine. Similarly, Russia's hopes for developing the Northern Sea Route (NSR) are becoming less and less feasible. Low fuel prices have had a significant impact on traffic volumes, but the NSR has also been affected by geographical, economic and environmental realities, as well as Russia's inability to create adequate infrastructure. Despite the fall in energy prices and the West's unwillingness to consolidate its efforts in developing the resources of the North, Russia continues to put in the same effort to create an actively developing energy and transport sector. The events of 2014 sharply reduced the revenue that Russia could expect from its economic settlement strategy. A rational actor could be expected to respond to a change in incentive with a comparable shift in strategy. However, the state has thus far not responded to this decline in potential economic benefit Neither by strengthening the offensive nature of its military construction and turning the region into an Arctic fortress and protecting its claims to the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), Nor by refusing to participate in and OR TO support international institutions governing the region. Despite Western sanctions, Russia basically continued to follow the economic strategy it had developed prior to 2014. Although Russia has not published an official updated Arctic strategy, it retained its previous official written strategies in 2008 and 2013 and continues to follow this course in its new maritime doctrine. Russian leadership continues to use broad diplomatic and public opportunities to achieve the same goals it pursued prior to 2014. Russia continues to invest heavily in Arctic energy and transport projects. It continues its efforts to achieve international recognition of its requirements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982), and continues to contribute to the creation of a political environment.