15 апреля
Interview of the Ambassador of Russia in Norway Nikolay Korchunov to Professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway Glenn Diesen (April 12, 2025)
1.What are the opportunities and challenges of establishing NSR corridor? – Who is Russia developing this with?
The NSR is currently one of the most promising, safe, short and economically advantageous sea corridors in the world. Speaking at the international forum "Arctic - Territory of Dialogue" in Murmansk in March this year the President of Russia Vladimir Putin has stated that it should become a key section of the Transarctic Transport Corridor, which will run from St. Petersburg through Murmansk to Vladivostok.
There is a growing demand for the NSR on the global trade arena. Data shows the stable increase in cargo traffic, which last year amounted to 37.9 million tons. I would like to highlight specifically that transit along the Northern Sea Route has grown by 44% in 2024 - primarily due to the fact that shippers began to redirect through the NSR some of the cargo to Asia. Previously it would always go through the Suez Canal. No less important is that for two years already, icebreakers have been operating on the route all year round.
As for the challenges, the entire system of international maritime logistics currently suffers from a high level of uncertainty - the risks of unpredictable events are high, as shown by the example of the southern routes. Sanction pressure also plays a certain role.
Nevertheless, both state and business are jointly carrying out large-scale work to expand and renovate the port infrastructure, increase the icebreaker and emergency rescue fleet.
Russian companies that transport oil products and LNG are already operating in the northern seas. Nevertheless more capacities are needed to ship coal, bulk and other cargo. More shipbuilding capacity is also needed to replenish the merchant fleet. We are open to creating joint ventures here.
We are actively interacting with China - a bilateral subcommission on the NSR has been operating since May 2024. In June 2024 a relevant structure on the NSR has been launched within the Russian-Indian Intergovernmental commission for interaction. We are also in dialogue with other countries which have good expertise in shipbuilding. Partners from Belarus and the UAE are showing interest in the Northern Sea Route as well.
2. What are the main Russian Arctic Energy projects? Who does Russia work with and how do these projects deliver to international markets?
I think everyone has heard of the largest oil and gas projects - Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG, Vostok Oil. Copper concentrate mining projects in the Baimskaya ore zone and the activities of Norilsk Nickel are also among many other important projects in the Arctic.
Developing the Arctic's mineral resource potential is one of our key priorities and it requires an integrated approach. This includes both facilities at the fields and the entire network of logistics chains including offshore and onnshore transportation, and supply infrastructure. Huge investments are being made in order to develop energy projects in the Arctic, and the return is also expected to be significant - over 100 million tons of finished products by 2030.
Despite the sanctions pressure, the governmental plan of developing NSR for the period up to 2035 is being gradually implemented. On March 28 the President of Russia launched the first loading of the Lavna coal terminal on the shore of the Kola Bay in the Murmansk Region. Let’s not forget about the “Arctic Gates” marine oil transshipment terminal, the “Utrenny terminal” for the Arctic LNG-2 project, the “Sever terminal” for the Vostok-Oil project, and the “Northern Latitudinal Railway” corridor for delivering cargo to ports. All of these are complex, costly projects with a long payback period.
I have already mentioned our main partners in the Arctic, but it is important to add that Russia is ready to work together not only with the Arctic states, but with all those who are interested in the sustainable and peaceful development of the region and focus on the long-term perspective.
3. What are the possible consequences for the US contesting Russian (and Canadian) claims to territorial waters in the Arctic, and how does the US position align with other Arctic states? To what extent does it matter that all the other 7 Arctic states are now NATO members?
The main consequence of the selective approach of some states to the international law, including the issue of expanding the outer limits of the continental shelf, is the growing uncertainty and destabilizing of the region. First and foremost it would affect shipping. Any decisions should be implemented on the basis of international law, primarily through the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
The fact that seven out of eight Arctic states are members of NATO indicates that the "security formula" in high latitudes is becoming increasingly complicated. The Arctic countries are currently in a difficult situation, facing challenges in the areas of security, climate, frozen scientific cooperation, and the consequences of crises in other regions. The only thing that NATO's presence in the region can add to that is a further escalation of tension. And besides, the present state of things is not guaranteed forever. We are all currently observing the situation around Greenland – claims for territorial expansion by the United States and Denmark’s unwillingness to part with its colonial past, as well as statements about Canada becoming a part of the US.
4. Russia has increased cooperation with countries in the East to develop the
Arctic – primarily China but also states such as India. What is the role of these states in the Arctic in terms of their interests and the scope of their involvement?
The Asian region is the driver of global economic growth. China and India account for a significant share of global GDP. It is natural that these countries think globally and don’t exclude the Arctic from their area of interest. At the same time, it is surprising that so much negativity is directed at those non-Arctic actors who promote a purely peaceful agenda in the High North instead of those who send warships there. The active involvement in the Arctic affairs by Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and France is rarely questioned.
5. As a Norwegian and a neighbor of Russia, I hope that at some point mutually beneficial cooperation will be restored with Russia in the Arctic. Do you see any opportunities to improve relations or a pressing desire from Western industries to restore economic cooperation with Russia in the High North?
Norway is currently following the anti-Russian agenda of Western countries. However, the objective picture is that Russia and Norway are “doomed” to cooperate. Our countries are not just neighbors – as Arctic states, we bear special responsibility for the destiny of the region. Many existing problems in the Arctic can only be solved through joint efforts. Climate change, permafrost degradation, loss of biodiversity, natural or man-made disasters, well-being of Indigenous Peoples require searching for common solutions within the framework of existing intergovernmental formats and for the sake of developing international science.
As for economic cooperation, to put it simply, the current political setting does not correspond to the economic potential. Given the economic and geographical position of your country as well as taking into account long-term benefits, it is obvious that if Norway acted in its own interests, it would not miss the opportunity to implement joint projects related to the development of the Northern Sea Route and aviation lines. I note with regret that instead, Norway has set on a course towards confrontation and breaking existing ties. I also know that Norwegian business has suffered as a result of the sanctions against Russia. Many, apparently fearing persecution, refrain from contact, but there are also those who are interested in re-establishing working ties.
Glenn Diesen is a professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway, contributor to the Valdai Discussion Club, and editor of the journal «Russia in Global Affairs».
Watch full interview on Glenn Diesen's YouTube-channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD_JtsWnOXI.
The NSR is currently one of the most promising, safe, short and economically advantageous sea corridors in the world. Speaking at the international forum "Arctic - Territory of Dialogue" in Murmansk in March this year the President of Russia Vladimir Putin has stated that it should become a key section of the Transarctic Transport Corridor, which will run from St. Petersburg through Murmansk to Vladivostok.
There is a growing demand for the NSR on the global trade arena. Data shows the stable increase in cargo traffic, which last year amounted to 37.9 million tons. I would like to highlight specifically that transit along the Northern Sea Route has grown by 44% in 2024 - primarily due to the fact that shippers began to redirect through the NSR some of the cargo to Asia. Previously it would always go through the Suez Canal. No less important is that for two years already, icebreakers have been operating on the route all year round.
As for the challenges, the entire system of international maritime logistics currently suffers from a high level of uncertainty - the risks of unpredictable events are high, as shown by the example of the southern routes. Sanction pressure also plays a certain role.
Nevertheless, both state and business are jointly carrying out large-scale work to expand and renovate the port infrastructure, increase the icebreaker and emergency rescue fleet.
Russian companies that transport oil products and LNG are already operating in the northern seas. Nevertheless more capacities are needed to ship coal, bulk and other cargo. More shipbuilding capacity is also needed to replenish the merchant fleet. We are open to creating joint ventures here.
We are actively interacting with China - a bilateral subcommission on the NSR has been operating since May 2024. In June 2024 a relevant structure on the NSR has been launched within the Russian-Indian Intergovernmental commission for interaction. We are also in dialogue with other countries which have good expertise in shipbuilding. Partners from Belarus and the UAE are showing interest in the Northern Sea Route as well.
2. What are the main Russian Arctic Energy projects? Who does Russia work with and how do these projects deliver to international markets?
I think everyone has heard of the largest oil and gas projects - Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG, Vostok Oil. Copper concentrate mining projects in the Baimskaya ore zone and the activities of Norilsk Nickel are also among many other important projects in the Arctic.
Developing the Arctic's mineral resource potential is one of our key priorities and it requires an integrated approach. This includes both facilities at the fields and the entire network of logistics chains including offshore and onnshore transportation, and supply infrastructure. Huge investments are being made in order to develop energy projects in the Arctic, and the return is also expected to be significant - over 100 million tons of finished products by 2030.
Despite the sanctions pressure, the governmental plan of developing NSR for the period up to 2035 is being gradually implemented. On March 28 the President of Russia launched the first loading of the Lavna coal terminal on the shore of the Kola Bay in the Murmansk Region. Let’s not forget about the “Arctic Gates” marine oil transshipment terminal, the “Utrenny terminal” for the Arctic LNG-2 project, the “Sever terminal” for the Vostok-Oil project, and the “Northern Latitudinal Railway” corridor for delivering cargo to ports. All of these are complex, costly projects with a long payback period.
I have already mentioned our main partners in the Arctic, but it is important to add that Russia is ready to work together not only with the Arctic states, but with all those who are interested in the sustainable and peaceful development of the region and focus on the long-term perspective.
3. What are the possible consequences for the US contesting Russian (and Canadian) claims to territorial waters in the Arctic, and how does the US position align with other Arctic states? To what extent does it matter that all the other 7 Arctic states are now NATO members?
The main consequence of the selective approach of some states to the international law, including the issue of expanding the outer limits of the continental shelf, is the growing uncertainty and destabilizing of the region. First and foremost it would affect shipping. Any decisions should be implemented on the basis of international law, primarily through the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
The fact that seven out of eight Arctic states are members of NATO indicates that the "security formula" in high latitudes is becoming increasingly complicated. The Arctic countries are currently in a difficult situation, facing challenges in the areas of security, climate, frozen scientific cooperation, and the consequences of crises in other regions. The only thing that NATO's presence in the region can add to that is a further escalation of tension. And besides, the present state of things is not guaranteed forever. We are all currently observing the situation around Greenland – claims for territorial expansion by the United States and Denmark’s unwillingness to part with its colonial past, as well as statements about Canada becoming a part of the US.
4. Russia has increased cooperation with countries in the East to develop the
Arctic – primarily China but also states such as India. What is the role of these states in the Arctic in terms of their interests and the scope of their involvement?
The Asian region is the driver of global economic growth. China and India account for a significant share of global GDP. It is natural that these countries think globally and don’t exclude the Arctic from their area of interest. At the same time, it is surprising that so much negativity is directed at those non-Arctic actors who promote a purely peaceful agenda in the High North instead of those who send warships there. The active involvement in the Arctic affairs by Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and France is rarely questioned.
5. As a Norwegian and a neighbor of Russia, I hope that at some point mutually beneficial cooperation will be restored with Russia in the Arctic. Do you see any opportunities to improve relations or a pressing desire from Western industries to restore economic cooperation with Russia in the High North?
Norway is currently following the anti-Russian agenda of Western countries. However, the objective picture is that Russia and Norway are “doomed” to cooperate. Our countries are not just neighbors – as Arctic states, we bear special responsibility for the destiny of the region. Many existing problems in the Arctic can only be solved through joint efforts. Climate change, permafrost degradation, loss of biodiversity, natural or man-made disasters, well-being of Indigenous Peoples require searching for common solutions within the framework of existing intergovernmental formats and for the sake of developing international science.
As for economic cooperation, to put it simply, the current political setting does not correspond to the economic potential. Given the economic and geographical position of your country as well as taking into account long-term benefits, it is obvious that if Norway acted in its own interests, it would not miss the opportunity to implement joint projects related to the development of the Northern Sea Route and aviation lines. I note with regret that instead, Norway has set on a course towards confrontation and breaking existing ties. I also know that Norwegian business has suffered as a result of the sanctions against Russia. Many, apparently fearing persecution, refrain from contact, but there are also those who are interested in re-establishing working ties.
Glenn Diesen is a professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway, contributor to the Valdai Discussion Club, and editor of the journal «Russia in Global Affairs».
Watch full interview on Glenn Diesen's YouTube-channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD_JtsWnOXI.
