The Arctic in a Multipolar Environment

Abstract

Russia, China, and the USA maintain distinct national interests in the Arctic, directly shaping its governance system. The challenge of Arctic demarcation has gained a new developmental trajectory as nonArctic states emerge as regional actors. Within the shifting system of international relations, these emerging actors are primarily interested in Arctic resources and the Northern Sea Route as a strategically vital transport corridor. This article examines foreign policies in the Arctic aimed at expanding the zones of influence, as well as the instruments that alter the balance of power in the region under the multipolar conditions. The research relies on official documents from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expert analyses, and international legal sources. Applying the principles of historicism and objectivity to contemporary maritime law, the author demonstrates how the changing global politics impact the Arctic landscape. Grounded in national Arctic strategies and the theoretical principles of international Arctic governance, states view the region through the prism of geopolitical and geoeconomic interests. Consequently, China’s scientific diplomacy, US military diplomacy, and Russia’s legitimate maritime actions serve as the primary tools currently reshaping international relations in the Arctic.