Environmental changes have melted ice caps and increased shipping traffic via the North-East Passage between East Asia and Europe along the coast of northern Russia. Many countries view this as a critical opportunity for international trade, but it also pits competing nations against each other as they try to gain influence in the strategic passage. Not only Russia and the Nordic States see themselves as players in the high north. China is also bolstering its stance in Nordic affairs, while NATO tries its best to curb the influence of rivaling nations.7

As an incident in the passage is dangerously close to escalating into wider conflict many questions arise for NATO. To what degree will Russia assert its dominance in this area? What will be the scope to act for the Arctic Council states in the situation? How will Finland and Sweden as non-NATO members behave? And will an alliance between Russia and China threaten western security interests?


The event will take place in four sessions:
Session 1: Saturday, February 18, 2023, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Session 2: Saturday, February 18, 2023, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Session 3: Saturday, February 18, 2023, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Session 4: Sunday, February 19, 2023, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Photo:  ©NASA / unsplash.com