cautious collaborators, mutual

At the same time, economic and security dynamics in the Arctic are increasingly shaped by global rivalries. Russia’s partnership with China exemplifies this shift. While the two countries have historically been cautious collaborators, mutual isolation from the West has accelerated joint Arctic initiatives. As Marlene Laruelle detailed in Russia’s Arctic Strategies and the Future of the Far North, Beijing has positioned itself as a “near-Arctic state,” funding research stations and infrastructure in ways that deepen dependence while demanding influence. Russia, wary of losing control over its northern flank, continues to walk a tightrope—welcoming Chinese investment in energy and transport, but resisting joint military initiatives that could undermine its autonomy in the Arctic. แทงบอล