Moscow says Finland, Sweden’s accession to NATO could increase tensions in the Arctic region
Finland and Sweden joining NATO could lead to increased militarization of the Arctic, worsening tensions and security risks in the region, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – November 30, 2022) The connection of Finland and Sweden to NATO May lead to increased militarization of the Arctic, worsening tensions and security risks in the region, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.
Sweden and Finland applied to NATO membership in May. From now on only Turkey and Hungary has not ratified the accession of the two nations.
“According to 1996 Ottawa Explanation, The Arctic Council does not deal with matters related to military security. In this regard, I do not consider it necessary to link the prospects of the Council to the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO. At same time, one cannot ignore the fact that after the accession of these countries to alliance, All member countries of the Arctic Council, except Russiawill be members of the North Atlantic bloc,” Zakharova said at a briefing.
The spokeswoman emphasized that the connection of Finland and Sweden to NATO May lead to “increased militarization of the Arctic region”, and the consequent “significant increase in tensions and security risks in high latitudes.”
The Arctic region covers the territories of the eight Arctic states, viz Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia and that United States. In 1996, these countries established the Arctic Council to address issues related to the region. In recent years, the discourse on the strategic application of the region and risks to the security of Russia and NATO countries has increased due to ice melting, resulting in both Moscow and that alliance reinforce their northern fleets.