The Svalbard Archipelago as an Object of Geopolitical Competition in the Arctic. On the Treaty's Centenary

Annotation

The study is devoted to analyzing the current geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Svalbard archipelago in the context of the centennial anniversary of the 1925 Svalbard Treaty. The paper examines the key trends in the transformation of the archipelago’s legal, political, and strategic status amid the profound reshaping of the Arctic’s international environment. Based on an analysis of official documents, expert assessments and practical steps taken by key participating states, the paper identifies growing contradictions between Norway, which seeks to consolidate national control and expand its sovereign powers, and Russia, which aims to maintain its historically established presence and safeguard its economic and scientific interests. Special attention is given to the processes of regional militarization under the framework of NATO expansion, the suspension of the Arctic Council’s activities, and the intensifying competition among leading Arctic powers. Special emphasis is placed on the role of China as a new near-Arctic actor expanding its research footprint on Svalbard as part of a wider polar strategy. It is demonstrated that Svalbard is gradually losing its status as a zone of peaceful cooperation, transforming into an arena of strategic competition where the interests of Norway, Russia, China and the NATO alliance intersect. The paper further outlines Russia’s adaptive measures aimed at preserving its influence through diversification of the Arcticugol enterprise, development of tourism projects, creation of an international research hub in Pyramiden, and cooperation with the BRICS+ countries. The conclusion emphasizes that there is a need for a comprehensive update of Russia’s Arctic strategy, aimed at protecting national interests and strengthening its scientific, economic and humanitarian presence amid growing geopolitical pressure from Western states.

About authors

Valery P. Zhuravel, Cand. Sci. (Ped.), Leading Researcher
Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Mokhovaya, 11, bld. 3, Moscow, Russia
zhvalery@mail.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1786-6754

Sergey N. Grinyaev, Dr. Sci. (Tech.), Chief Researcher
Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Mokhovaya, 11, bld. 3, Moscow, Russia
sgreen@csef.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6511-9553

Keywords

Svalbard, geopolitics, Arctic, Svalbard Treaty, Russian presence, militarization, NATO, international law, fisheries zone, continental shelf

DOI

https://doi.org/10.37482/issn2221-2698.2026.64.157

UDC

[327.8:341.225:327.5](481-922.1)(045)