When Arctic countries simulated a major oil spill for a virtual training exercise off the coast of northern Norway in March, Russia also joined in – a rare sign of cooperation between Moscow and the West that emphasized the Arctic region’s special status.
Relations between Russia and Western countries have been frozen since Moscow’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but Norway is keen to maintain limited cooperation through the Arctic Council.
“We had good communication (during the oil spill exercise) with all states, including Russia, and Russia also offered assistance and we accepted that,” said Ole Kristian Bjerkemo, chairman of the Arctic Council’s Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response working group. led the exercise.
