The Russian Foreign Ministry: Russia is taking measures to safeguard its interests in the Arctic region
RIA Novosti, Moscow, February 3 - Vladislav Maslennikov, head of the Department of European Affairs at the Russian Foreign Ministry and a senior Russian official in the Arctic Council, told RIA Novosti that Russia is taking measures including military-technical ones to safeguard its interests in the Arctic region, but these measures are not aimed at third countries.
Maslennikov, answering a question about how Russia assesses the risks of increased military presence by NATO countries in Greenland and throughout the Arctic region possibly having a negative impact on civil shipping in the region, said: "Russia is taking necessary measures to safeguard its sovereign interests in the Arctic region, including military-technical measures. These activities are not directed against other countries and fully comply with international law. At the same time, Russia will continue to firmly defend its position in the region."
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on January 15 that the UK supports launching the NATO "Arctic Sentinel" operation to strengthen the alliance's military forces in the northernmost regions. According to her, this plan, similar to the "Baltic Sentinel" and "Eastern Sentinel" operations, should cover Greenland, Iceland, Finland, and the sea routes in the region. Subsequently, The New York Times quoted two anonymous NATO officials as saying that discussions on implementing the NATO-proposed "Arctic Sentinel" operation are still at a very early stage.
The Northern Sea Route is a promising global transport corridor that can provide logistical support for large-scale investments in Russia's Arctic region. Its geographical characteristics can shorten the voyage time from Asia to Europe by 40%.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1856153920754697/
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