NATO President Jens Stoltenberg on Friday said that the alliance can not allow security vacuum in middle arctic competition with Russia and China.
“We cannot afford a security vacuum,” he added in High North. It can fuel Russian ambitions, expose NATO and risk “Miscalculation and misunderstanding,” Stoltenberg said.
“we also We see an increase in Chinese interest in The region. China has defined itself as a country close to the North Pole and aims to do so build being here” added.
Stoltenberg was speaking during a visit to Bardufoss in Northern Norway, where the coalition is taking place on a large scale military Cold Response exercises.
Moscow increased military Activity in North Pole in In recent years, he said at a press conference, update its current rules and building new Of which in a clear sign You intend to be dominant player in Required region.
Russia’s Kola Peninsula, which borders the Norwegian North Pole, is home to me powerful the northern fleet, with Its huge focus of Multiple nuclear weapons military Facilities.
“For all these reasons, the North is considered the highest area of critical Importance for All allies. This is why NATO has increased military Presence in North,” said Stoltenberg, who term of office It was extended for a year because of Russia invasion of Ukraine, on The eastern wing of NATO.
Cold response exercise of the month in Norway designed to test The ability of NATO members – and partners Sweden and Finland – to provide assistance of Other Member State in difficult climatic conditions.
about 30000 soldiers they share in The air, sea and land exercises, the largest exercises organized by Norway since the end of cold War.
long striped in Advance, exercise has taken on added Next importance for Russia invasion of Ukraine.
Cold response is an important exercise, not least in light of The meaningless and meaningless Russian attack on Ukraine,” said Stoltenberg.
“We regret, of Of course, that Russia declined To observe this exercise, but we are so sorry more That Russia never invites us Participate in Compulsory monitoring and inspection of He continued their training.
“You have to remember that war chief (Vladimir) Putin is now waging their paychecks against Ukraine was in The beginning disguised as an exercise … Then suddenly the exercise turned into a full- make a war “.
In addition to the enormous strategic importance of the ecologically fragile Arctic region, it contains large reserves of Oil, gas and minerals.
As climate change reduces sea ice cover with Severe effect opens melting ice up The shipping route between East Asia and Europe is much shorter than the pass via Suez Canal.
