The Svalbard archipelago, a Norwegian territory for over a century located 1,000 km from the North Pole, is facing potential geopolitical interest from major powers like the United States and Russia, mirroring concerns surrounding Greenland. While smaller and less resource-rich than Greenland, Svalbard's strategic Arctic location makes its surrounding waters significant for military and security interests, particularly for Russia aiming to protect its northern coast. The region is also attractive due to its estimated 13% of the world's unexploited oil and 30% of its gas reserves. A 1920 treaty grants access to Svalbard for approximately fifty countries, including Russia, which maintains a presence in the area. Furthermore, climate change is causing ice melt, opening new shipping routes and increasing the archipelago's strategic importance.