Is the Northern Sea Route the key to ending the Ukraine conflict?
US President-elect Donald Trump may leverage the development of the Arctic region and the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as part of his proposed peace plan to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, according to Responsible Statecraft think-tank.
The publication suggests that Trump could use Russia's interest in unlocking the economic potential of its Arctic as a negotiating tool. The proposal highlights the need to lift sanctions on the Northern Sea Route and encourage Western shipping companies to utilize this transport corridor. The think-tank notes that such a plan would likely catch the attention of Russian President Vladimir Putin, gain support from China, and benefit Scandinavian nations, South Korea, and Japan.
As part of the purportedly proposed deal, a small share of the profits from the Northern Sea Route - around 5% - could be allocated toward rebuilding Ukraine's damaged infrastructure over the next 50 years. The publication also notes that complex issues such as the future security architecture of Eastern Europe and the division of forces in the conflict zone "will remain paramount in any settlement."