NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stressed the importance of expanding the military alliance’s role in the Arctic region as Russia reopens Soviet-era bases and China seeks new economic opportunities.
Politico reports Moscow plans to station new hypersonic missiles at the bases while China wants expanded access to the territory.
“NATO must increase its presence in the Arctic,” Stoltenberg told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, according to Politico.
A new ambassador-at-large position focused on the Arctic was announced in Washington Aug. 28, Politico reported. This decision was made amid tense relations between Washington and Moscow due to Russia’s war with Ukraine.
The United States, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Canada, Norway, Sweden and Russia are some of the countries that share the Arctic area.
NATO is dedicated to ensuring the freedom and security of its members through political and military means, according to its website. It promotes democratic values and peaceful dispute resolution.