The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 26 May, 2025

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Britain Steps Up Arctic Military Cooperation to Counter Russian Expansion

As reported by The Telegraph on May 28, the UK government announced that British sanctions have blocked the delivery of a 200-metre Russian floating dock in the Mediterranean. The dock, intended to service nuclear-powered icebreakers, remains stranded after its towing vessel returned to Russia. The announcement came during Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to Norway and Iceland, where he also confirmed joint naval patrols with Norway and an upcoming AI initiative with Iceland to track vessels. The UK’s actions form part of wider NATO military coordination in response to increased Russian naval activity and defence infrastructure along the Northern Sea Route. (The Telegraph)

Take 1: Britain’s Arctic strategy reflects recognition that the region has become a critical front in NATO’s defense posture, with implications far beyond the frozen north. Russia’s decade-long militarization of the Arctic created strategic advantages that the Ukraine war has temporarily weakened. Britain’s pivot toward permanent Arctic presence, potentially through stationed forces, signals a fundamental shift from periodic exercises to sustained deterrence operations. The collaboration with Norway takes on special significance given their shared responsibility for the North Atlantic’s western approaches, where Russia’s Northern Fleet poses direct threats to transatlantic supply lines from North Atlantic positions. As climate change opens new shipping routes and resource access, the Arctic increasingly is becoming a strategic chokepoint, making Britain’s investment in regional partnerships essential for long-term security architecture. (Atlantic Council, Gov.UK)

US Sets to Work with Asian Countries in Arctic Energy Development 

As reported by Reuters on May 23,the US has invited officials from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to Alaska for a June 2 meeting to discuss energy collaboration, including a proposed $44 billion natural gas pipeline. The visit will be hosted by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright and include a tour of Alaska’s North Slope, where gas would be sourced for liquefaction and export to Asian markets. Taiwan’s CPC Corp is expected to attend, while Japan and South Korea have yet to confirm participation. (Reuters)

Take 2: This initiative exemplifies the growing trend of non-Arctic nations gaining significant economic stakes in the region through major infrastructure investments. By bringing Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan directly into Arctic energy development, the US is fundamentally altering the traditional governance dynamics where Arctic states maintained primary control over regional resources and development. The proposed Alaska LNG project represents more than just energy infrastructure – it creates lasting economic partnerships that give non-Arctic nations vested interests in Arctic policies and governance decisions. As climate change makes Arctic resources more accessible, projects like this pipeline establish precedents for how external powers can secure long-term access to the region’s energy wealth. However, these expanding partnerships expose the inadequacy of current Arctic governance structures, which were designed primarily for the eight Arctic states and struggle to accommodate the growing influence of economically invested non-Arctic nations in regional decision-making processes. (Bloomberg, The Belfer Center)

Iceland Prime Minister Calls for Sustained Role in Arctic Security 

As reported by Euronews on May 28, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir stated that Iceland, despite lacking a standing military, must increase its role in Arctic security. Speaking after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, she emphasized the need for Iceland to adjust its defense posture and spending, including increased spending on defense-related investments such as strengthening the Keflavik Air Base and port facilities. She indicated that further proposals would be presented at the upcoming NATO summit in June and expressed support for NATO’s proposed increase in defense spending targets. (Euronews)

Take 3: Iceland’s call for greater Arctic involvement highlights the complex security challenges facing smaller NATO allies in an increasingly militarized region. As a country without a traditional military, Iceland faces unique difficulties in asserting its Arctic interests while Russia and China expand their presence through joint patrols and military exercises. Despite its limited conventional defense capabilities, the island nation’s location between North America and Europe cements its importance. Iceland’s focus on infrastructure investments rather than weapons systems reflects a realistic approach to contributing to collective Arctic security. The country’s partnership with Norway and the UK in using AI to detect hostile Arctic activity demonstrates how smaller nations can leverage technology and intelligence sharing to remain relevant in regional security frameworks. With cargo transportation along Russia’s Northern Sea Route reaching record levels, Iceland’s position becomes increasingly valuable for monitoring and responding to Arctic developments. Iceland’s approach of emphasizing host nation support and infrastructure development offers a model for how to support Arctic deterrence rather than increasing military presence. (Arctic Today, The Wall Street Journal, World Wildlife Fund)

Russia Prepares Sanctioned LNG Fleet for Arctic Export Route

The Barents Observer reported on May 28 that at least five EU-sanctioned LNG carriers have received approval to operate on the Northern Sea Route from May 23 to February 20, 2026. The vessels have remained idle in the Barents Sea since December 2024 due to the sanctions imposed upon them. Built with Arc4 ice classification, these carriers are preparing to transport liquefied natural gas from Yamal LNG and the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 facilities once sea ice conditions permit passage. (The Barents Observer)

Take 4: This development demonstrates the Northern Sea Route’s growing role as a sanctions-resistant corridor for Russian energy exports despite Western efforts. The preparation of sanctioned vessels for Arctic operations, even while thick sea ice still covers most of the route, shows Russia’s commitment to maintaining energy flows through its northern territories. Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” operations underscore the limitations of maritime sanctions when dealing with vast, difficult-to-monitor Arctic waters. The willingness of these vessels to operate despite sanctions demonstrates that Russia views Arctic energy exports as worth enormous economic and political risk. As sea ice conditions improve through the summer, this sanctioned fleet will likely demonstrate the practical feasibility of year-round Arctic energy operations, potentially encouraging further development of northern shipping infrastructure despite international pressure. (Brookings, gCaptain, ScienceDirect)

AMAP Report Highlights Climate Risk Amid Arctic Council Paralysis

As reported by High North News on May 28, the Arctic Council’s Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) working group released its Arctic Climate Change Update for 2024, warning that extreme weather, sea ice loss, and ocean acidification are accelerating across the region. The report recommends stronger action on emissions, climate adaptation, and Indigenous participation in research. While AMAP and other Arctic Council working groups have resumed activity in a digital format, diplomatic and political-level meetings remain paused due to the ongoing suspension of cooperation with Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The report was presented at the Arctic Science Summit Week in Colorado ahead of Norway’s handover of the Arctic Council chairship to the Kingdom of Denmark. (High North News)

Take 5: The current paralysis of Arctic governance highlights a critical mismatch between the urgency of climate challenges and the capacity for international cooperation. AMAP’s latest report documents alarming acceleration in extreme weather events, wildfires, melting ice, and ocean acidification, yet the primary forum for regional cooperation is suspended. This governance vacuum is particularly dangerous because Arctic changes don’t respect political boundaries and require coordinated responses. The suspension of cooperation with Russia eliminates access to crucial scientific data from vast Siberian territories and the Trump administration cuts to research funding further weaken the knowledge base needed for effective responses. Once disrupted, such networks take years to rebuild, requiring not just renewed funding but a reconstruction of trust, shared methodologies, and Indigenous integration. As climate impacts accelerate faster than political solutions can emerge, these knowledge networks serve as the foundation for any future coordinated response, making the working groups essential despite the impossibility of immediate policy outcomes. (AMAP, High North News, The Arctic Council)