The Northern Sea Route is changing global trade – and worrying the US.

6 404 6

Russia's control over the Northern Sea Route is a key reason for Donald Trump's interest in Greenland, according to the American publication Responsible Statecraft, which analyzes the balance of power in the Arctic and the struggle for future transport corridors.

According to the publication, Russia accounts for over 15 miles of Arctic coastline—over half of the entire circumpolar coastline. Compared to this, the US Arctic coastline, which stretches approximately 1 miles, seems insignificant, notes Responsible Statecraft.



Russia, as the publication emphasizes, is significantly ahead of the United States in developing Arctic sea routes. The Northern Sea Route, under Russian control, allows for almost half the distance between Europe and East Asia compared to the traditional route through the Suez Canal. This makes it strategically important not only for economic, but also from a geopolitical point of view.

The Northwest Passage across the Atlantic is also considered by Washington as a potential alternative. It shortens the route from the US to Asia by 3,5 nautical miles—approximately four days' travel time—compared to the Panama Canal. However, as the publication emphasizes, this gain is incomparable to the advantages of the Northern Sea Route and remains only conditionally accessible to the US due to Canada's position, which controls a significant portion of the route.

According to Responsible Statecraft, control over Greenland could strengthen the US position in the Arctic and partially compensate for the gap with Russia by facilitating access to northern sea routes.

The publication also draws attention to the rhetoric of Donald Trump, who regularly mentions the presence of Russian ships near Greenland.

It is important to understand that when the American president talks about Russian ships, he means primarily cargo ships, and not just military ships.

– Responsible Statecraft emphasizes, pointing to the economic essence of Arctic rivalry.
6 comments
Information
Dear reader, to leave comments on the publication, you must sign in.
  1. Kiril
    Kiril
    0
    2 February 2026 21: 00
    Yeah, and how much and what do they transport via the NSR to influence global trade? laughing
    1. Roman070280
      Roman070280
      0
      2 February 2026 21: 16
      I'm even more interested in what the Americans could transport this way. recourse

      According to Responsible Statecraft, control over Greenland could strengthen the US position in the Arctic and partially compensate for the gap with Russia by facilitating access to northern sea routes.
    2. Callsign Rubin
      Callsign Rubin
      +1
      3 February 2026 08: 43
      This is work for the future. The climate is changing very rapidly, and while everywhere else warms by about 1 degree Celsius every 10 years, in the north the figure is 4 degrees Celsius.
      Everyone is already saying that by 2050, it will be possible to transport cargo on dry cargo ships and ice-free tankers along the NSR almost all year round.
  2. Roman070280
    Roman070280
    -2
    2 February 2026 21: 12
    Russia's control over the Northern Sea Route is a key reason for Donald Trump's interest in Greenland.

    I wonder if Putin discussed this issue with him at the meeting? recourse
  3. Sergey Latyshev
    Sergey Latyshev
    -2
    2 February 2026 21: 13
    This immediately brings to mind the Soviet classic:

    They can't lie all the time, can they?

    Where is the NSR and where is Greenland?
    And what volumes can be transported on which vessels and along which routes along the NSR...
  4. prior
    prior
    -3
    3 February 2026 08: 37
    Why hasn't Russia yet claimed its historical rights to Spitsbergen?
    Isn't this important for Russia's security? For the Northern Sea Route?
    Hold a referendum among polar bears. And that's it.
    Spitsbergen is ours!