Russia to Facilitate BRICS in the Arctic
Russia is working on projects in various industries with the BRICS and SCO countries for their implementation in the Arctic.
Russia may leave the Arctic Council in connection with the destructive policies of Western states. After Moscow passed the chairmanship to Oslo, the future of the Arctic Council will depend entirely on the actions of the Norwegian authorities. Russia is looking to introduce more cooperation in the region with BRICS countries, particularly China and India.
NATO military capacity building in the Arctic could lead to an escalation in the region. The strengthening of the Western course towards confrontation in the region is evident.
In August 2022, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg mentioned that the alliance plans to increase its presence in the Arctic. He justified this with the great strategic importance of the region.
In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that such statements are perceived as expressions of intent to confront the Russian Federation and Russian interests in the Arctic, in connection with which « Russia will ensure its interests».
Oil from the ports of the Baltic is redirected to the Northern Sea Route
The main supplies of Russian oil are reoriented to Asia. Primarily but not exclusively to India and China. Rosatom and oil companies are working on redirecting the supply of Russian oil from the Baltic ports to the Northern Sea Route.
The embargo imposed by European countries on the supply of Russian oil and oil products became a challenge. However, it also opened a new window of opportunity for the appearance of an additional cargo base on the NSR (Northern Sea Route).
Aleksey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom
However, changing supply routes to the Northern Sea Route is not straightforward. There is no enough oil tankers suitable for use on this route. Also, there are not enough icebreakers to secure passage all year round. Five of them are being built. Not to mention other infrastructure in ports along the route. China is prepared to join Russia in efforts to make the Northern Sea Route more effective. India is also interested, although this route will not shorten transport between major Indian and European ports.
In short, Russia will not alone face challenges imposed by NATO in this region.
