"Russia is interested in constructive cooperation with Norway in Svalbard"

Norway, along with its NATO allies, is trying to use Svalbard in military preparations, Russian Ambassador to Oslo Nikolai Korchunov said in an interview with Izvestia. According to him, the Scandinavian country also creates difficulties for Russian scientific and economic activities here. Svalbard and its adjacent maritime spaces are the gateway to the Arctic, where important maritime transport routes and transpolar air corridors run, the diplomat noted. Moscow is interested in developing a dialogue to resolve practical issues and preserve the archipelago, as well as the entire Arctic, as a low-tension zone, the ambassador stressed. About how Russia intends to maintain its presence in Svalbard — in an exclusive interview with Nikolai Korchunov "Izvestia".

"The best way to make wise decisions in the archipelago is through international cooperation"

— On August 14, Norway celebrates the 100th anniversary of Svalbard's incorporation into the Kingdom. How would you assess the significance of the Svalbard Treaty of 1920, which defined the archipelago's international legal status?

— The Svalbard Treaty of 1920, to which the USSR joined in 1935, is a unique international legal document. They recognize Norway's sovereignty over the archipelago under certain conditions. At the same time, the document creates the necessary prerequisites for long-term, respectful and mutually beneficial cooperation between all its signatory parties.

The Russian side is committed to the spirit and letter of the Treaty and proceeds from the immutability of the faithful fulfillment by all its parties, including Norway, of their international legal obligations arising from this document.

We fully agree with King Harald V of Norway, who in his speech during his visit to Svalbard on June 16, 2025, said that the best way to wise decisions in the archipelago lies through international cooperation. The Monarch also rightly stressed the importance of reliable international agreements and mutual trust for the future of our common planet. We hope that the Norwegian Government and local authorities in Svalbard will be guided by the same constructive approaches to multilateral cooperation.

Ice structures: non-regional NATO countries are pulling their forces into the Arctic

The lack of communication between the Russian Federation and the alliance creates a risk of incidents

— Why is the Svalbard Archipelago so important?

— Svalbard and its adjacent marine areas are the gateway to the Arctic. Important maritime transport routes and transpolar air corridors pass through this area. Active fishing of marine biological resources is carried out in the waters of the archipelago. In addition, the location of the archipelago creates unique conditions for conducting high-latitude scientific research in the fields of climate change, oceanography, atmospheric research, geophysics, geology, and glaciology.

"Russia strives to ensure its presence in Svalbard"

— What is the meaning of the Russian presence in Svalbard? Are Russian organizations in the archipelago facing problems in their work?

— According to the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and ensuring National Security for the period up to 2035, Russia seeks to ensure its presence in Svalbard on the terms of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with Norway and other states parties to the Svalbard Treaty.

There are 45 States parties to the Treaty, but only Norway and Russia carry out economic activities in the archipelago. The only domestic business entity in Svalbard is FSUE State Trust Arktikugol. Russians mine coal there, do scientific research, and develop tourism. It is in our interests to ensure a long-term and cost-effective presence on the terms of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with Norway and other States parties to the Treaty.

For launch: which countries have started producing anti-ship missiles

The global market for these munitions is experiencing an era of prosperity and expansion of the choice of offers

At the same time, the Norwegian authorities have recently taken steps to strengthen their sovereignty and control over the archipelago, in some cases creating obstacles and difficulties for the implementation of Russian scientific and economic activities there.

— Does Norway comply with the provisions of the treaty regarding the non-use of the archipelago for the purposes of war?

— We are recording attempts to involve the archipelago in the military preparations of Norway and its NATO allies. We believe that the key to maintaining low tension in Svalbard is consistent and comprehensive compliance with all the provisions of the 1920 Svalbard Treaty, primarily article 9 on the non-use of the archipelago for war purposes. I would like to emphasize that the Treaty does not refer to exceptions or reservations related to the participation of signatory countries, including Norway, in any military alliances and the obligations arising from this.

Russia, in turn, is interested in building constructive cooperation with Norway in Svalbard in accordance with the provisions of the 1920 Treaty, developing a dialogue to address practical issues of our economic and scientific activities, and preserving the archipelago, as well as the entire Arctic, as a low-tension zone.