Narratives in Arctic Russian strategies

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the RF was struggling nationwide with the subsequent loss of identity. President Puti put Russian national identity back together with the Kremlin selecting “of which elements of the past should be remembered or erased.”²⁰¹ He managed it by proactive assertive foreign policy such as Basic Principles 2020, 2035, and his patriotic and nationalist oratory in the direction of a domestic and international audience.²⁰²

According to the examples of narratives and clarifying Russian state identity, it is possible to identify the use of these elements in the Russian foreign policy. In the Soviet Union, the conception of space and size was one of the most important attributes of state identity in persuasion/beliefs. The space has remained too important for Moscow and its functioning as it is seen in President Putin speech in 2009: "When we say great, a great country, a great state—

certainly, size matters. When there is no size, there is no influence, no meaning."²⁰³ The importance of territory for the Russian identity was apparent. Russia cannot lose what is considered theirs, and the bigger territory, the better. No surprise that the RF made a new Arctic claim in 2015 to extend their AZRF.²⁰⁴

201 FRIERSON, Cathy A. (2010). Dilemmas of post-soviet identity in Vologda–a sacred landscape in Moscow’spolitical shadow. In M. BASSIN,C.ELY&M.STOCKDALE(Eds.),Space, place and power in modern Russia(pp. 218–242). DeKalb: Northern Illinois University Press.

202 GERLACH, Julia a Nadir KINOSSIAN, 2016. Cultural landscape of the Arctic: ‘recycling’ of soviet imagery in the Russian settlement of Barentsburg, Svalbard (Norway). Polar Geography [online]. 39(1), 1–19. ISSN 1088-937X. https://doi.org/10.1080/10881088-937X.2016.1151959

203 CONLEY, Heather A., 2012. New security architecture for the arctic : an american perspective. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). ISBN 0-89206-701-2.

204 Continental Shelf - submission to the Commission by the Russian Federation. 2021. UNCLOS [online]

52

The plot, character, and point of view are findable in foreign policy strategies through the analysis of the narrative elements. Moreover, the typical features from the examples above are also related to the strategies. Yet, it is essential to mention that it is impossible to determine all the narrative elements or features in every strategy.

In the Basic Principles 2020 are present three characters. Firstly, the RF itself, with a subtle approach as a hero. The author chose it not only because of his conviction but also deep-rooted perspective. The following characters are other Arctic states, which are seen as possible Arctic partners or antagonists. In this (antagonist) instance, they are portrayed as villains. And heroes will defend and protect (Russian) the Arctic if it comes to that. Thirdly, another role plays the AZRF with no further specification. The AZRF is portrayed more as a utilized object with extreme conditions and many opportunities.

Table 4. Basic elements of the Basic Principles 2020

Plot To maintain the Russian role as a leading Arctic power Character The RF does not generally stand a distinct role.

However, in relation to the antagonists, it symbolises hero

The AZRF in this strategy does not have a specific role and is taken more as an object.

Other Arctic states are represented here as partners (with no specific role) and antagonists holding the villain role.

Point of view The author wrote it with a pro-Russian third-person point of view and saw Russia as the leading Arctic power.

53

The development strategy of the AZRF 2013 was already written with stronger rhetoric than the previous one. The author followed on with the Basic Principles 2020. The AZRF is displayed only as an object. The most important character was the Arctic Federation. However, in this case, there was several times verbally mentioned President Putin. As a whole, they play a hero part, who is here to master the Arctic with specific developments to be strong enough in the international community and against other Arctic states. In other words, to stay a leading Arctic power, there are necessary developments included. Moreover, the most crucial turn highlighted the importance of sovereignty over the AZRF, which should represent an overall impression of the message of strategy.

Table 5. Basic elements of the development strategy of the AZRF 2013 Plot Sovereignty and governing over the AZRF take

precedence over everything.

Character The Arctic Federation (President Putin) acts in the strategy of a hero to master the Arctic through development in many fields.

The AZRF does not have a specific role as well as is portrayed more as an object.

Point of view The author wrote it with a pro-Russian third-person point of view and showed the strong will of Russia to achieve their goals and protect their national interests and security with all their might.

It comes as no surprise that the Basic Principles 2035 followed on with the Basic Principles 2020 with its goals and with the Development strategy of the AZRF 2013 and its stronger sovereign rhetoric. The Basic Principles 2035 was written repeatedly from the third-person point of view. However, the author used the strongest rhetoric of all of the documents and presented the abusive practices of other actors involved in the Arctic region. These practices make the RF look like a victim and thus receiving sympathy. On the other hand, Russia once again expresses that it will defend the Arctic even militarily through the strategy. Thus Russia also represents the hero. Yet, Russia prefers cooperation and peace in the Arctic instead of ending up overcoming the monster. Moreover, in this strategy, it is verbally determined that President Putin and his responsibility would control every action done in the Arctic.

54 Table 6. Basic elements of the Basic Principles 2035

Plot Sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace over the AZRF take precedence over everything

Character The RF is portrayed as a hero as well as a victim. It is caused by their simultaneous hero and victim approach by defending the Arctic in military ways and showing the inappropriate actions of foreign and Arctic states.

President Putin as a hero, who takes full responsibility of the strategy's implementation.

Foreign and Arctic states serve as villains here because of their operations in the Arctic and their attempts to undermine Russian Arctic influence and activity.

The AZRF does not have a specific role and is portrayed more as an object.

Point of view The author wrote it with a pro-Russian third-person perspective and showed the most substantial resistance to the foreign and Arctic states since issuing the first strategy. Nevertheless, the author showed their determination to protect what is legally theirs at all costs.

55