🎙️Excerpts from briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow (October 29, 2026)
Release of the EU’s updated Arctic Strategy
On October 20, the European Union presented its long-awaited updated Arctic Strategy. Unfortunately, it offers neither originality nor fresh thinking.
In essence, it formalises the EU’s highly politicised approach to the High North, a region that Brussels now views primarily through the lens of escalation and the “containment” of Russia.
It is worth recalling that the EU itself has no coastline on the Arctic Ocean and no official observer status at the Arctic Council.
Significantly, the strategy puts security issues front and centre. The EU makes no secret of its intention to pursue the active militarisation of the region in coordination with NATO: trying to increase readiness levels in the North, expanding dual-use infrastructure and enhancing military “mobility”.
In other words, the EU is seeking to further militarise the Arctic. At the same time, it conveniently ignores the fact that such actions inevitably increase the risk of unintended escalation. Instead, Russia is to blame: a country that maintains a legitimate military presence in the region while fostering mutually beneficial cooperation with non-Arctic states. Furthermore, the document’s authors suggest that China, too, harbours excessive “Arctic ambitions”. By what authority does the European Union presume to speak on behalf of Russia or China? I reiterate: the EU does not even have observer status at the Arctic Council.
It is also noteworthy that, in pursuing its ambitious “Napoleonic” plans, Brussels intends to rely on its northern member states and a select group of “like-minded” partners – a category that, naturally, excludes Russia, despite its status as the foremost Arctic power.
For our part, we will continue to follow the long-term objectives set out in our key strategic planning documents: the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation, the Basic Principles of the Russian Federation State Policy in the Arctic Until 2035, and the Strategy for Developing the Russian Arctic Zone and Ensuring National Security Until 2035. All these documents commit Russia to maintaining peace and stability in the region and creating favourable external conditions for the socioeconomic development of Russia’s Arctic zone, including for the benefit of its indigenous peoples. While prioritising constructive dialogue and political and diplomatic solutions, Russia remains fully prepared to defend its national interests by all means at its disposal.
Release of the EU’s updated Arctic Strategy
On October 20, the European Union presented its long-awaited updated Arctic Strategy. Unfortunately, it offers neither originality nor fresh thinking.
In essence, it formalises the EU’s highly politicised approach to the High North, a region that Brussels now views primarily through the lens of escalation and the “containment” of Russia.
It is worth recalling that the EU itself has no coastline on the Arctic Ocean and no official observer status at the Arctic Council.
Significantly, the strategy puts security issues front and centre. The EU makes no secret of its intention to pursue the active militarisation of the region in coordination with NATO: trying to increase readiness levels in the North, expanding dual-use infrastructure and enhancing military “mobility”.
In other words, the EU is seeking to further militarise the Arctic. At the same time, it conveniently ignores the fact that such actions inevitably increase the risk of unintended escalation. Instead, Russia is to blame: a country that maintains a legitimate military presence in the region while fostering mutually beneficial cooperation with non-Arctic states. Furthermore, the document’s authors suggest that China, too, harbours excessive “Arctic ambitions”. By what authority does the European Union presume to speak on behalf of Russia or China? I reiterate: the EU does not even have observer status at the Arctic Council.
It is also noteworthy that, in pursuing its ambitious “Napoleonic” plans, Brussels intends to rely on its northern member states and a select group of “like-minded” partners – a category that, naturally, excludes Russia, despite its status as the foremost Arctic power.
For our part, we will continue to follow the long-term objectives set out in our key strategic planning documents: the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation, the Basic Principles of the Russian Federation State Policy in the Arctic Until 2035, and the Strategy for Developing the Russian Arctic Zone and Ensuring National Security Until 2035. All these documents commit Russia to maintaining peace and stability in the region and creating favourable external conditions for the socioeconomic development of Russia’s Arctic zone, including for the benefit of its indigenous peoples. While prioritising constructive dialogue and political and diplomatic solutions, Russia remains fully prepared to defend its national interests by all means at its disposal.
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