The Situation of the Arctic Council After Russia’s Attack to Ukraine: Is Neoliberal Institutionalism Still Working?

Abstract

Today, the Arctic Council is considered the primary forum on Arctic-related issues. The Council provides a platform for Arctic countries and indigenous groups to address a wide range of issues, from climate change and environmental protection to sustainable development and scientific research. The establishment of the Arctic Council is based on the idea that international organizations can facilitate cooperation between states. The theoretical basis of this idea is Neoliberal Institutionalism. Despite all this optimism of the council, the Arctic Council is among the institutions most deeply affected by the Russia-Ukraine War, which started after Russia's attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The fact that all seven Arctic states imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia due to the war in Ukraine and boycotted the Arctic Council under the Russian presidency is the biggest challenge in the history of the Arctic Council. It is clear that Arctic cooperation with Russia will undergo significant changes and the survival of the Arctic Council after Norway's presidency remains uncertain.