Arctic

Russia Isn't Trying to Start a War in the Arctic — It's Just Keeping Out the Riffraff

Since 1996, Russia, along with the US and six other Arctic states, has been a member of the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum that deals with economic and climate issues facing the Arctic states and the region's indigenous people. Russia, for its part, has acted like a good neighbor during its time in the council, working to prevent oil pollution and helping to promote scientific cooperation.

"One of our priorities in the Arctic is to keep balance between the economic activity and the preservation of the unique environment, respect for the culture, and traditional way of life of indigenous peoples," Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week at a meeting between Arctic Council members in Russia. "And, of course, we have consistently advocated the strengthening of cooperation with member states of the Arctic Council in all directions."