“The halt in the annual contributions to the budget of the Arctic Council will remain in place until the resumption of practical work in this format with the participation of all member countries, including the implementation of joint projects” related to the conservation of the fragile ecosystem of the Arctic, conducting Arctic studies, including scientific maritime expeditions, developing humanitarian ties, increasing the standard of living and well-being of the population of the Far North, including indigenous peoples, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

According to the Ministry, Russia is not studying the possibility of leaving the Arctic Council. However, if the organization becomes an institution hostile to Russia, it may reconsider its position. “We advocate the approach that initially underlies the work of the Council, namely deepening the mutually beneficial cooperation of eight Arctic States in the interest of stable development of that entire region,” the institution summarized.

The Arctic Council was founded in 1996, and formed by eight members, defined as Arctic States: Canada, Denmark, the United States, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden. Thirteen non-Arctic States (Germany, South Korea, China, Spain, France, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Switzerland) belong to the regional body as observers.

In March 2022, while Russia held the pro tempore presidency of the Arctic Council, the other members suspended their participation in protest of the armed conflict in Ukraine.

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