Russia warns of the danger of an unintended conflict with NATO in the North Pole

“Moscow is concerned about the involvement of non-polar NATO countries in the coalition’s military activities in the north and the risk of unwanted clashes with NATO forces in the pole,” Nikolai Korchunov, the Russian ambassador to the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Tass, according to Fars News Agency. Notes the north.

The Russian diplomat, who also chairs the Committee of Senior Officials of the Arctic Council of Russia, said that the internationalization of NATO’s military operations at high latitudes, in which non-polar NATO countries participate, could not be a concern. This increases the risk of unintentional accidents, which in addition to security risks, can also cause serious damage to the fragile Arctic ecosystem.

Korchunov says NATO military maneuvers in northern Norway do not contribute to security in the North Pole. He added that the recent increase in NATO activity in the North Pole is a matter of concern. Recently, another large-scale military exercise of this coalition was held in northern Norway, which in our opinion does not help to ensure security in the region.

The large international “cold reaction” exercise in Norway began on March 14 and lasted for two weeks. The maneuvers were the largest Norwegian-led maneuvers since the 1980s, the foreign ministry said. About 30,000 troops from 27 countries, including Finland and NATO allies, took part in the exercise.

On the prospect of Sweden and Finland joining NATO, Korchunov also said that it would undermine security and trust in the North Pole. “Of course, NATO expansion at the expense of countries that have not traditionally been part of the bloc will not contribute to security and mutual trust in the Arctic, which Russia has always supported,” he said.

The Russian diplomat added: “Negotiations on this issue are currently underway in Stockholm and Helsinki.” I would like to point out that Stockholm and Helsinki’s long-term commitment to a policy of non-alignment with military alliances has been an important factor in stability and security in the Nordic region and throughout continental Europe.

Earlier, the Times reported, citing sources, that Helsinki and Stockholm could apply to join NATO in the summer. Russia’s Deputy Security Council Secretary Dmitry Medvedev has warned that if Sweden and Finland join the NATO alliance, Russia will have to defend its borders and possibly import nuclear weapons into the Baltic.

Moscow has warned NATO that if Sweden and Finland join the military alliance, Russia will be forced to strengthen its borders and there will be no future commitment to a “nuclear-weapon-free” Baltic, The Independent reported.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also warned that Sweden and Finland joining NATO would pose a risk of instability in northern Europe. “It is no secret that NATO has an active presence in the territory of these countries, they hold large-scale exercises there,” Maria Zakharova said in a text posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website. And it is clear why NATO needs this; The goal is to create the potential for militarization and geographical development (NATO) and to create another wing for the Russian military threat. But it is not clear why our Swedish and Finnish neighbors are becoming a new frontier for Russia’s confrontation with NATO. The negative consequences for peace and stability in Northern Europe are palpable.

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