Has Russia heard about the European Union’s Arcticness? The EU’s Arctic steps as seen from Russia

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Ever since 2007/2008, the European Union (EU) and its various institutional actors have been developing a dedicated EU Arctic policy, setting common positions, stressing the EU’s Arctic credentials and prominently expressing its own “Arcticness”. These Arctic steps have been thoroughly scrutinised over the past decade. Yet, research has almost ignored one particular pillar of the EU’s Arctic endeavour: the “Arctic exception” in EU–Russia relations and the related lack of a distinct Russian dimension in the EU’s Arctic policy. Similarly, little is known of how the Russian side views the EU’s Arctic policy steps taken since 2008. The extensive transdisciplinary literature on EU–Russia relations has basically ignored how the EU has been represented in Russia ever since 1991. This article examines EU and Russian Arctic policies and their relations in the European North. In attempting to explore how the EU’s “Arcticness” has been presented, narrated and perceived in Russian media between 2008 and 2018, we draw upon an analysis of articles published on various Russian media platforms during that period. The study identified four core narratives of the EU’s engagement in the Arctic: the EU as <jats:italic>player</jats:italic>, as <jats:italic>seeker</jats:italic>, as <jats:italic>prohibitor</jats:italic> and as <jats:italic>partner</jats:italic>. These narratives provide evidence of the “Arctic exception” in EU–Russia relations, as well as offering some related explanations.</jats:p>

China's Arctic Aspirations and Polar Silk Road: Implications for Great Power Competition

“…The EU exercises caution concerning China's expanding Arctic footprint, aiming to balance economic interactions with China while remaining committed to upholding international laws and norms in the region (Biedermann, 2021). Furthermore, the EU's relations with Russia, a state with significant Arctic presence, have been affected by geopolitical tensions, which add another layer of complexity to the EU's Arctic approach (Skripnikova & Raspotnik, 2019).…”

Anticipatory state identity: Understanding the Finnish state's approach to the Arctic

“…Finland is not alone in projecting such a shifting state identity, however. Other states, such as the United States, Canada, Norway, Iceland, and even a few with no territory beyond the Arctic Circle, for instance, China, Japan, and France, have put considerable efforts into developing an Arctic identity for themselves (Bennett, 2015; Dodds & Ingimundarson, 2012; Medby, 2018; Nilsson 2018; Sebastian, 2013; Skripnikova & Raspotnik, 2019; Väätänen & Zimmerbauer, 2020).…”

Introduction: Norway's strategic priority

“…Jensen, , 2016bL.C. Jensen et al, 2011;Kristoffersen and Young, 2010;Østhagen et al, 2018;Pedersen, 2018;Skagestad, 2009;Tamnes, 2011;Wegge, 2011. For a focus on relations with Russia or Russian Arctic policy, see Åtland, 2011;Åtland and Ven Bruusgaard, 2009;Fjaertoft et al, 2018;Hønneland, 1998Hønneland, , 2012Hønneland, , 2016Leland et al, 2008;Moe et al, 2011;Østhagen, 2016;Østreng and Prydz, 2007;Rowe, 2015;Skripnikova and Raspotnik, 2020;Wilson Rowe and Blakkisrud, 2014;Zysk, 2011Zysk, , 2013 For a focus on the general development in the region with emphasis on security policy, geopolitics, and/or resources, see Åtland, 2008Claes and Moe, 2018;Gade and Hilde, 2015;Holtsmark, 2009;Hoogensen Gjørv et al, 2020;Keskitalo, 2007;Lanteigne, 2016;Østhagen, 2020;Østreng, 1999;Tamnes and Holtsmark, 2014;Tamnes and Offerdal, 2014;Wilson Rowe, 2020. For a focus on China and/or Asian countries' interests in the Arctic, see Bekkevold and Offerdal, 2014;Bertelsen and Gallucci, 2016;Lanteigne, 2015;Lunde et al, 2016;Lundestad and Tunsjø, 2014;…”