Abstract: The subject of this research is the international legal norms that were used in determining the boundaries of the Arctic region since the beginning of the 20th century until present day. The article examines and compares two juridical concepts of division of the Arctic territories – median and sectoral. Both concepts had their supporters, opinions of which are being reviewed in this article. Currently, the median and sectoral concepts have both become secondary, and majority of the Arctic countries adhere to the legal rules provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982. The author compares the juridical concepts of delimitation of the Arctic territories, as well as Russian and foreign approaches towards determination of the boundaries of the region. The conclusion is made that the Arctic states need to come to a mutual understanding on the rules of delineation of the Arctic space for a peaceful demarcation of the boundaries in the future.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the international legal norms that were used in determining the boundaries of the Arctic region since the beginning of the 20th century until present day. The article examines and compares two juridical concepts of division of the Arctic territories – median and sectoral. Both concepts had their supporters, opinions of which are being reviewed in this article. Currently, the median and sectoral concepts have both become secondary, and majority of the Arctic countries adhere to the legal rules provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982. The author compares the juridical concepts of delimitation of the Arctic territories, as well as Russian and foreign approaches towards determination of the boundaries of the region. The conclusion is made that the Arctic states need to come to a mutual understanding on the rules of delineation of the Arctic space for a peaceful demarcation of the boundaries in the future.

Abstract: The subject of the research are the fundamental documents of the Russian Federation, which define the policy of the country in the Arctic. The author of the article reviews and analyses the Russian state policy in the Extreme North, which is fixed in several state documents. Beside state documents, the author also brings up speeches of state leaders regarding the development of the northern regions of the country. Apart from the state documents, the author also cites the expert opinions about Russian Arctic state policy declared in the last years. During the research of the legal foundations of the Russian Arctic policy the author has applied qualitative analysis of documents, regulatory acts and speeches of the political leaders.The main conclusion of the research is that the Russian Federation has elaborated a significant legal base, which defines the state policy in the Arctic region. The Russian Federation, along with other Arctic states, currently pays more attention towards the Arctic region than before. This demonstrates the relevance of the topic of the development and exploration of the Arctic region in the international political agenda.