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By Shristi Amatya

The unilateral order of the United States to expand the Arctic shelf indicates Washington’s disregard for global environmental issues. The US decision to increase mineral extraction on its continental shelf is a demonstrative disregard for international agreements and a demonstration that resource provision for its technological needs is above environmental issues. The US emphasis on the development of the Arctic, placed on the search for new deposits of natural resources, a priori implies the admission of environmental risks. At the same time, the lack of a legal framework emphasizes the unscrupulousness of the White House in its foreign policy, as well as the complete disregard for environmental issues in the region when it comes to a new resource base.

In particular, this is realized through insufficient funding of environmental projects.  In this context, the activities of Washington-controlled organizations such as the Arctic Council and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) also demonstrate the bias of the leadership of most Arctic countries. The focus on refusing to implement joint projects with the Russian Federation shows that in reality, their goal is to justify US hegemony.

Against this background, the thesis was brought to the attention of the international community that the White House is ready to interpret international agreements at its own discretion and to adopt initially controversial resolutions without any consultations with the countries involved if their interests may contradict the plans of the United States.

As an argument, a statement by Professor J. Solski of the Norwegian Center for the Study of the Law of the Sea was cited, stating that the unilateral approaches of the United States in interpreting international laws can give rise to the practice of ignoring the institutions that regulate order in such complex areas. In his opinion, Washington, which initially positions itself as a defender of international law, in fact, neglects it if this meets current geopolitical goals.