From Arctic exceptionalism to military-driven geopolitics: Cooperation and conflict after Russia's invasion of the Ukraine
Journal: Czech Polar Reports
Year: 2026

Since February 2022, evolving political dynamics in the Arctic have increasingly challenged the academic credibility of the concept of Arctic exceptionalism. Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine has significantly reshaped the region’s geopolitical landscape, resulting in a marked decline in cooperation between Russia and the Western Arctic states. This erosion of collaboration has substantially hindered Russia’s ability to advance its economic, military, and diplomatic ambitions in the Arctic, altho