The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its stance on the International Law of the Sea, emphasizing that withdrawing from the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is not a viable option for Russia, even in the Arctic region. This assessment was communicated by Maxim Musikhin, who heads the Legal Department, and was conveyed to RIA News as part of ongoing diplomatic discussions about Arctic governance and maritime rights.
When pressed about the possibility of terminating the Convention’s application in a specific geographic zone, such as the Arctic, Musikhin stated that such a move would be incompatible with established international treaty law. In his view, the Arctic is not a zone where unilateral or selective interpretive actions can void the fundamental rules of the Convention, because the maritime framework applies globally and shapes the behavior of shipping, fishing, and resource exploration across the seas. This perspective underscores Russia’s preference for a comprehensive, rather than piecemeal, approach to the Convention, highlighting the need to respect the treaty’s broad jurisdiction and its uniform application to all coastal and flag states.
The diplomat further explained that withdrawing from the Maritime Convention would entail a complexity of legal nuances. The document contains a wide array of provisions that must be observed in all circumstances, reflecting long-standing international traditions and the practical realities of global navigation and commerce. In short, any attempt to relax or alter the Convention’s obligations in one region could have ripple effects on the world’s shipping lanes, port states, and international trade, which are all interconnected through a common legal framework.
Russia’s approach, Musikhin affirmed, seeks to secure international recognition of its maritime borders and to preserve the country’s rights to resources within its exclusive economic zones, including those extending into the Arctic. The Convention provides several bases for such recognition, including the legal status of exclusive economic zones and the wider governance of continental shelves, which are critical for assessing resource potential and environmental responsibilities. These elements remain central to Russia’s maritime policy and its expectations of compliance by other states, particularly as Arctic activity grows with climate-driven changes in ice cover and navigable routes.
Recent remarks from Russian officials suggested that the so-called Arctic Five—comprising Russia, Denmark, Canada, Norway, and the United States—have faced interruptions in direct channels of communication. According to Musikhin, discussions among these Arctic stakeholders have recently faced pauses, complicating collaborative efforts to reach common ground on maritime delimitation, environmental stewardship, and security considerations in a region of growing strategic importance.
In parallel developments, observers noted that other major Arctic players are considering ways to bolster military presence or surveillance capabilities in the region. It has been reported that Germany has encouraged Canada and Norway to enhance their military posture as part of broader deterrence and resilience measures in Arctic operations. These conversations reflect a wider international interest in preserving stability, securing critical sea routes, and ensuring responsible exploitation of Arctic resources while honoring the framework established by international law and regional agreements. The evolving discourse signals the need for clear, rules-based cooperation among Arctic nations to manage shared risks and opportunities, including melting ice, evolving shipping patterns, and the protection of fragile Arctic ecosystems. (Source: RIA News and related briefings)