PROBLEMS OF ENSURING NATIONAL INTERESTS OF RUSSIA IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COMMUNICATIONS IN THE ARCTIC

Abstract

Due to global warming in the Arctic, there is a gradual reduction of the ice cover, and the region is turning into an arena of confrontation between the leading world powers. Degenerative changes in the Arctic cryosphere contribute to the expansion of economic activity, in particular, the region offers ample opportunities for the development of international maritime communications. For a number of reasons, the most promising route for transporting cargo from the Asia-Pacific region to Europe is the Northern Sea Route. Currently, the legal regime of the Arctic maritime spaces is governed by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which does not provide for any exceptions to the Far North. This Convention has a number of provisions that allow the Arctic states to establish a special mode of navigation in the northern latitudes. However, the existing contradictions in the interpretation and application of international law may undermine Russia's sovereignty over the Northern Sea Route and negatively affect the observance of Russia's national interests in the context of the development of international maritime communications in the Arctic.