Report: Russian Strategies in the Arctic: Avoiding a New Cold War
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This report aims to provide a comprehensive picture and analysis of the current situation in the Arctic, as well as a rigorous assessment of the interests and problems of the Russian Federation in the Arctic. 

The report “Russian Strategies in the Arctic: Avoiding a New Cold War” is prepared as a part of Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club research grant program. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive picture and analysis of the current situation in the Arctic region, as well as a rigorous assessment of the interests and problems of the Russian Federation in the Arctic, particularly the Russian Arctic.

The paper gives answers to such important questions as: What are Russia’s real interests in the Arctic? How do different schools of thought on Russian foreign policy understand the problems posed by the Arctic? What is the conceptual/doctrinal basis for Russia’s Arctic strategy? How does Russia build relations with major Arctic and non-Arctic actors in the region? What is Moscow’s political approach to working within international organizations and fora that deal with Arctic issues? How does Russia address major Arctic challenges? What are Russia’s real military policies and plans in the Arctic? Do they pose a security threat to other Arctic players, or are Moscow’s limited military preparations and activities in keeping with the existing regional military balance?

The paper is written by Lassi Heininen, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lapland, Finland; Alexander Sergunin, Professor, Department of International Relations, School of International Relations, St. Petersburg State University, and Gleb Yarovoy, Associate professor, Department of International Relations, Petrozavodsk State University.

The authors of the report are the winners of the first research grants program for Russian and foreign scholars and experts in economics, political science and international relations, launched by Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club in 2012.