U.S. and Russian officials have identified the Arctic as a potential area for economic collaboration, according to sources familiar with the matter. This initiative is part of President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to improve relations with Moscow.

The discussions, which are still in the early stages and remain private, have touched on resource exploration and trade routes, the sources said. One source also noted that the U.S. views energy exploration in the region as a key objective.

This topic has gained attention as Trump actively pushes for an end to the war in Ukraine, engaging in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The growing willingness of both countries to explore business cooperation has raised concerns among European and NATO allies, who have sought to isolate Moscow since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.

Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss the restoration of embassy staffing levels.

According to a source, U.S. officials view Arctic cooperation as a potential strategy to create divisions between Moscow and Beijing. However, the source also warned that this approach is unlikely to work, given the deepening ties between Russia and China, especially after their “no-limits” partnership was established following the start of the Ukraine war.

When asked for a response, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council declined to comment, while the Kremlin's spokesperson did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The Arctic, which is bordered by Russia and seven NATO countries, the U.S., Canada, and the Nordic nations of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, has gained increasing global attention in recent years. Climate change has led to melting ice, opening up new shipping routes and opportunities for exploring potential energy and mineral resources.

According to a report by Politico, Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s state-owned Direct Investment Fund, stated that during recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, cooperation on Arctic energy projects was among the “specific areas of cooperation” discussed.

Late last year, the Pentagon released an updated Arctic Strategy, warning of the risks posed by closer ties between China and Russia in the region. Under the Biden administration’s policy, the U.S. aims to strengthen military preparedness and surveillance in response to the “growing alignment” between Moscow and Beijing.

China has also been increasing its focus on the Arctic, declaring itself a “near-Arctic state” in 2018. In recent years, it has expanded its interests in the region through fishing, energy, and transportation projects. The possibility of new shipping routes is a key part of Beijing’s vision for a Polar Silk Road, which would link East Asia, Western Europe, and North America.