Russia leads in the number of icebreakers (41), followed by Canada with 20 vessels for Arctic transportation. Finland is in third place (11 icebreakers), and the United States is fourth (12 icebreakers). China occupies the fifth position, possessing 5 vessels that can be operated in the Arctic. This data was reported by Breaking Defence.
China and Russia are increasingly cooperating in the Arctic, using various tools. Their rapprochement in the region is causing concern, and the Pentagon continues to monitor this partnership.
Russia claims the right to regulate Arctic waters along the Northern Sea Route beyond what is permitted by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. In this case, Russia threatens to use force against ships that do not follow its requirements.
According to Elizabeth Buchanan, a senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, China is strengthening ties with Russia in the Arctic because it is very beneficial.
The developing Northern Sea Route connects Beijing to Europe in a much more efficient (in terms of time and cost) way.
The expert emphasized that Russia's work in the Arctic Council has stalled since 2022. However, ambitious Russia has begun to rely on countries such as China and has continued to develop its Arctic projects.
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Russian Northern Sea Route is being used almost twice as often