Arctic Geopolitics: Why Are Russia, the US, and China Competing for Ice?

The Arctic region, once a remote and frozen environment, has become one of the most important strategic focal points of the 21st century. With the progressive melting of ice caused by climate change, powers such as Russia , the United States , and China are vying for access to natural resources, new trade routes, and key military positions.

According to estimates by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Arctic could hold nearly 13% of the world's undiscovered oil and 30% of its undiscovered natural gas . This vast energy wealth represents a strategic opportunity for countries seeking to ensure their energy security or increase their global influence.

Russia has been the most aggressive country in this regard. It has increased its military presence, reactivated bases in the Arctic, and strengthened its icebreaker fleet. Meanwhile, the United States , with Alaska as its gateway to the Arctic, has also reinforced its presence, albeit with less dedicated infrastructure than Russia.

For its part, China , despite not being an Arctic country, has declared itself a "near-Arctic state" and has invested billions in research, expeditions, and bilateral agreements in the region, seeking access to routes and resources.

The melting ice has made seasonal navigation possible on previously impossible routes. The Northeast Passage and the Northwest Passage could shorten journeys between Asia, Europe, and North America by weeks, drastically reducing logistics costs.

China has invested in what it calls the "Polar Silk Road," betting on a future Arctic trade network. Russia also sees the Northeast Passage as a commercial alternative under its control, imposing regulations on foreign ships passing through it.

The military presence has increased dramatically. Russia has installed air defense systems and radar stations on its Arctic islands, while the US has reactivated its icebreaker fleet and conducts regular exercises with NATO in nearby waters.

Sovereignty over the seabed is another issue. Countries such as Russia, Canada, and Denmark have filed claims with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, seeking to extend their underwater boundaries based on geological criteria.

The irony of the Arctic is that climate change , an existential threat to the planet, is also the reason this region is becoming strategic. Melting ice facilitates access to resources and routes, but also creates environmental risks, species migrations, and ecological destabilization.

Geopolitical tensions could hinder cooperative climate or conservation initiatives. The militarization of the Arctic could also transform a peaceful region into a new