The U.S. claims to seabed territory off Alaska have been met with an objection from the Russian government, who argues that the U.S. does not have the right to make such claims without being a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Despite not ratifying the treaty, the U.S. submitted claims in December to extend its outer continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean and the Bering Sea. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska expressed puzzlement at Russia’s objection, as the claims did not overlap any Russian territory. She highlighted the disadvantage the U.S. faces due to not ratifying the treaty, which regulates such claims.
The U.S. claims, if successful, could impact future economic activities in the region, such as deep-sea mining and laying fiber-optic cables. Meanwhile, Russia has conflicting territorial claims in the Arctic that overlap with those of Canada and Denmark. The Russian government is also considering severing an existing boundary agreement with the U.S. in the Bering Sea, while maintaining military presence and conducting exercises in the region.
Despite deteriorating cross-border cooperation, the U.S. Coast Guard continues to monitor the situation and maintain communication with their Russian counterparts. While no foreign vessel incursions have been observed in U.S. territory in the Bering Sea so far in 2024, tensions remain high as both countries assert their claims in the Arctic region. The ongoing dispute underscores the importance of international agreements and diplomacy in managing territorial claims in the increasingly strategic region.
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Photo credit alaskabeacon.com
